How to Live Sustainably in the Netherlands: 10 Practical Tips

1. Choose a Green Energy Provider

The Dutch have a long history of harvesting renewable energy through windmills. While you will not find these powering your modern home, the Netherlands does have renewable energy options available. When setting up your utilities, consider choosing a green energy supplier.

An increasing number of Dutch energy companies offer green electricity, including Frank Energie, Innova Energie, Pure Energie, and Vattenfall. If the choice feels overwhelming, comparison websites like UnitedConsumers can help you navigate your options.

2. Invest in a Bakfiets

The Netherlands has some of the best biking infrastructure in the world. Wherever you live, you will soon discover that the best way to get around is often on two wheels, whether you are going to your local supermarket or visiting a doctor.

If you are a green-minded parent, consider swapping your family car for a bakfiets (cargo bike). Cities like Amsterdam have plans to ban fossil fuel-powered vehicles from 2030. A bakfiets is great for your fitness and reduces your everyday carbon footprint. You can transport children, groceries, and even furniture.

3. Compost at Home

Before sliding unwanted food scraps into the trash, consider composting. Getting yourself a kitchen caddy for dinnertime leftovers can be a great investment in your sustainable lifestyle.

Outside of big cities, municipalities often provide two bins: one for general trash and one for GFT (Groente-Fruit-Tuin-afval: vegetable, fruit, and garden garbage). This system saves space in your regular trash allowance and helps you live more sustainably.

You can even compost at home using worm bins or bokashi systems. Composting is unintrusive and can be done on your kitchen countertop, balcony, or in the garden. Before you know it, you will have homemade compost for your plants and flowers.

4. Get Involved With the Sharing Economy

The sharing economy shifts focus from ownership to access, whether transportation, living space, or knowledge. The Netherlands offers plenty of options:

• Car-sharing platforms like SnappCar and Fetch provide family access to four wheels when needed
• Peerby lets you quickly borrow items from neighbors
• Djeepo connects you with neighbors who have spare storage space
• Community skill-sharing connects people who want to help each other

5. Shop Locally

Understanding your grocery food miles (the distance from field to fridge) is crucial for reducing your carbon footprint. Reducing food miles is an effective way to tackle emissions.

In most Dutch towns and cities, you will find weekly markets where you can buy fresh, locally-produced foods directly from farmers. Not only will you reduce food miles, but you will also enjoy fresher foods. Meal kit services like Green Chef also work on sustainability by providing reusable packaging and sourcing ingredients locally.

6. Download the Right Green Apps

Several sustainable apps can help you live greener in the Netherlands:

• Too Good To Go: Save delicious food from the trash at reduced prices from local eateries
• Vinted: Buy and sell secondhand clothing to prevent vintage finds from ending up in landfills
• Ecosia: Plant a tree with every search
• Facebook local groups: Join sustainable communities in your area, including Amsterdam's sustainable expat group

7. Go Paperless With Your Banking

When setting up your new life in the Netherlands, opening a Dutch bank account is essential. However, banking generates significant mail including statements and bills.

Making your banking completely paperless is relatively easy. Most Dutch retail banks offer paper-free options. The easiest way to go green is by signing up for mobile banking. Mobile banks like bunq and N26 allow you to apply in minutes and receive all correspondence straight to your phone.

8. Watch Your Water Usage

Despite the canal network and frequent Dutch rain, the Netherlands is not immune to global water shortages. The average Amsterdam resident uses around 133 liters of water daily (13 buckets per person). You can help reduce this:

• Swap your shower head for one that restricts flow and saves water
• Add a plastic bottle into your toilet tank to save on flushes
• Contact your water company for additional products and advice

9. Replace Old Appliances

If you want to live sustainably in the Netherlands, consider replacing old household appliances. New appliances will help you cut down on energy usage and save money on utility bills.

When buying new home electricals, look for items with the best energy ratings. Some offer shorter eco-cycles that wash laundry or dishes just as effectively. Electronics retailers like MediaMarkt and BCC stock a range of products. When replacing old appliances, make sure you recycle them properly at your municipality's designated recycling point.

10. Recycle, Recycle, Recycle

The Dutch have created an easy-to-use recycling system with over 55% of all municipal waste recycled. How you recycle depends on where you live in the Netherlands.

In places like Amsterdam, you will find communal roadside facilities for paper, glass, and plastic. In other areas, your municipality provides recycling containers with weekly or fortnightly collections. Many Dutch supermarkets also have recycling centers where you can deposit glass and plastic bottles. Remember to recycle lightbulbs, batteries, and small electronics like cell phones.