Ah, the sweet joy of a new life entering this great big world. But how do the Dutch celebrate this? They invest in HEAPS of baby decor for their windows and lawns, and you really can’t miss it.
Picture this: you’re an unknowing international strolling the Dutch streets, and the next thing you see is the bum of a big stuffed stork toy pinned to the window of a Dutch home (we’re not kidding). 😬
It’s certainly a sweet tradition for proud parents — why wouldn’t you want to broadcast to your entire neighbourhood that your family has welcomed a baby into the world?
But what do these birth announcements entail? 🤔
What is it?
When a baby is born in the Netherlands, Dutch families take to the shops to buy plenty of baby-themed decorations for their front windows and yards. These will laud the arrival of their little one.
The decorations often stay up for many months on end and usually include a huge yard sign showcasing the baby’s name, other knick-knacks like streamers and pennants — and the quirkiest of them all — a stork.
Subtiele manier om mensen die op babybezoek komen voor te bereiden op een lelijke baby.
Translation: Subtle way to prepare people who come to a baby visit for an ugly baby. “Yes, the stork flew into the window with it.”
Why a stork, you might ask? Well, the legend of the long-necked and big-billed bird isn’t just a story parents tell their youngsters anymore. It has now become a very important part of this sweet Dutch tradition!
On the day a child is born, the Dutch like to say that a stork, a famous symbol of childbirth in the Netherlands, visited their home.
To represent this, it’s only natural that they place a stuffed version of the bird in their front window to show that it just flew in to deliver a baby.
Why do they do it?
Of course, it’s a normal thing to want to share the big baby news with your loved ones.
We all know the Dutch aren’t the type to hide their pride in what they do best.
So, if announcing babies with all kinds of signs and props in their front windows and lawns is just another thing that they are ridiculously good at, then by all means! Why not go for it?
Why is it quirky?
The Dutch aren’t the only ones who welcome a new arrival with some sort of tradition.
For example, the Germans like to plant trees in their gardens to announce the birth of a new life, and Italians have taken up the custom of dressing in red when a baby is born. Super schattig! (Super cute!)
However, Dutch parents have become more and more creative with baby announcements over the years.
And internationals are left a little confused by these elaborate decorations.
Should you join in?
There are tons of ways to announce the arrival of your little bundle of joy. But if you’re looking for an extra special one, why not spice up your next baby announcement and take a page from the Dutch?
A heartbreaking discovery has shed more light on the case of Jeffrey and Emma from Beerta, Groningen. 👇
Just fifteen minutes after their father drove away with them last Saturday, their car was seen entering the water in Winschoten around 3:45 pm, according to newly reviewed security footage.
The bodies of the two children and their father were then retrieved on Tuesday, with the police believing that they most likely drowned.
As the main suspect (Klaas Bijl, the children’s father) has also died, authorities confirmed that there will be no legal proceedings. However, a full investigation is ongoing and could take several more weeks.
Amid this sorrow, the community rises
A wave of compassion has emerged, with the NOS reporting that a fundraiser launched to support the farewell of Jeffrey and Emma has now raised over €116,000, with nearly 7,000 donations flooding in.
The children’s family warmly supported the fundraiser, wishing to give Jeffrey and Emma a beautiful and loving farewell.
Bloemenzee en knuffels van mensen die Jeffrey en Emma herdenken na een trieste gebeurtenis 🐻🕯🥀 pic.twitter.com/5SX7PeEabZ
— AggieFotografie.nl (@AggieFotografie) May 22, 2025
🇬🇧 Translation: Sea of flowers and hugs from people remembering Jeffrey and Emma after a sad event 🐻🕯️🥀
“Unbelievable that people gave so much so quickly, and that it kept going on. I also looked at the counter a few times last night,” the fundraiser’s organiser told the ANP news agency. Any leftover funds will be thoughtfully discussed with the children’s mother.
Past domestic violence reports were brushed aside
Meanwhile, questions are being raised about prior incidents within the family. The NOS revealed that several reports of domestic violence had been filed through Veilig Thuis, the Dutch domestic violence hotline.
Adding to the concerns, police had visited Bijl’s home the night before the tragic event.
The children’s mother had expressed fear that he might harm them, but officers who responded reportedly found no cause for action at the time, according to Dagblad van het Noorden.
As investigators continue to piece together the timeline, the community’s support for Jeffrey and Emma stands as a poignant reminder of the kindness people can show in the darkest of times.
Dutch holidaymakers beware: if you’re heading to France, keep both eyes on the road and your wallets, because these new speed cameras are no joke.
France is rolling out AI-powered cameras, and your summer trip could become a very expensive affair. Let’s see why. 👀
Say bonjour to the camera
The days of simply slowing down for a speed camera are over.
The French automobile union,40 Millions d’automobilistes, revealed that these smart cameras use artificial intelligence to detect driving errors and can fine you for up to four offences in one snap.
They’ll be checking your speed, phone use, seat belt, and whether you’re tailgating — all at once.
No more low-key texting behind the wheel. Image: Dreamstime
And yes, that could mean a whopping €540 in one go… talk about a souvenir no one asked for. 💸
The French government is pumping €46.3 million into expanding and upgrading the system, with at least 500 multitasking machines set to go live soon, mostly in cities.
So, if you’re cruising through Lyon or Marseille, don’t even think about checking Google Maps without a hands-free setup. 📵
Road safety or just a cash machine?
Not everyone’s clinking champagne glasses over this update.
As 40 Millions d’automobilistes says, these radars are more about euros than ethics.
Their concern? The wrong driver might get fined. Think about someone who’s cut off and can’t maintain a safe distance, yet still ends up with a fine. Fair? Nee. Profitable? Absoluut. 💰
The association argues that what’s needed is more real police on the road, not AI playing judge, jury, and executioner.
But hey, it’s 2025 — the robots have taken over our emails, art, and now, apparently, our parking tickets. 🫣
What do you think — smart safety upgrade or sneaky tourist tax? Will these AI cams keep roads safer, or just wallets lighter?
Starting next year, tourists will have to fork out €17.50 for the privilege of visiting the Zaanse Schans – one of Holland’s prettiest postcards comes to life.
This open-air museum may look like a peaceful 19th-century dream, but behind the clogs and windmills lies a modern dilemma: almost 2.6 million visitors a year and not enough money to keep the mills turning.
According to the NOS, the Zaanstad city council has decided it’s time to start charging at the door.
A price tag for open air?
The crowds are thick, and yet the local municipality is struggling to scrape together enough funds to maintain its beautiful old mills. An entry fee of €17.50 could solve this dilemma. But how would this even look in practice?
At a debate on Tuesday night, one proposal was to adopt no physical fences. Instead, visitors would buy a ticket from a machine and show it when asked.
This would let locals enter freely while keeping the site ticket-controlled for others.
But now, controversy swirls faster than a windmill blade.
The proposed entry fee has sparked a heated debate between the municipality, residents, and neighbours — none of whom seem to agree on whether charging visitors is a brilliant idea or utter blasphemy.
Parked campers and frayed tempers
Tourism professor Jan van der Borg is firmly in the “it’s too crowded” camp. “Then it’s just too busy,” he tells NPO Radio 1.
“Local residents experience a lot of parking nuisance. It is completely closed and in surrounding neighborhoods people park their campers on your driveway.” (No word yet on whether they at least bring stroopwafels.)
Meanwhile, windmill operators point out that many parts of the Schans – like some of the mills – already charge entry. Why slap a price tag on the whole thing?
Photographer Daan Engels passionately defends free access: “The Zaanse Schans is a living heritage,” he says. “Not a closed-off amusement park like the Efteling!”
Opponents of the fee have rallied under the catchy slogan “Hou de Zaanse Schans open” – “Keep the Zaanse Schans open” and asked for a referendum.
While the council has made their decision, this could (hopefully) change things.
Have you ever visited Zaanse Schans? If not, are you planning to go, especially now that they might start charging for entry? Let us know in the comments below!
The Dutch airline aims to pull in €120 million this year through changes such as paid catering. That broodje kaas? It’s going to cost you a pretty penny.
According to De Telegraaf, although nothing is confirmed, a recent trial gave passengers a preview, and it didn’t exactly scream luxury. 🙃
Gourmet vibes? More like economy snacks
Once upon a flight, you could count on a free cheese sandwich or pastry and even a glass of wine to make that short European hop feel a little more first class.
Under KLM’s latest trial? That cheese sandwich is €6, the meatball bun is €5, and a half-litre of water, yes, just water, costs €3.50. 👀
Passengers on the trial flight weren’t thrilled. For an airline known for its smooth transfers and full-service image, paying mid-flight felt off-brand.
Frequent flyer Luuk van de Paal tells De Telegraaf: “If you also have to pay for a trolley, KLM will no longer have much added value. Ryanair will win that battle because of cheaper tickets.” Ouch.
KLM says no final decision has been made, but with €120 million needed for 2025, the seatbelt sign is on. ✈️
Not a budget airline (but acting like it)
“KLM is certainly not a budget airline,” insists Chris Van Elswijk, the cabin crew union leader, speaking to De Telegraaf.
But it’s hard to keep that crown on straight when cutting perks, charging for basics, and serving €6 sandwiches. 👑
Adding to the turbulence, more than ten long-haul flights were recently cancelled due to maintenance issues, while ticket prices keep climbing.
What do you think, dear flyers? Would you pay €6 for a “Royal” airline sandwich, or do you team “give me Ryanair and my dignity”? Let us know in the comments. 👇
Who said that paintings need to be stuck on walls, confined within the restrictive boundaries of a frame? Certainly not Fabrique des Lumières!
Our visit to this innovative Amsterdam art centre showed us a one-of-a-kind museum: one where art is immersive, engaging, and accessible — instead of just admired from a distance.
Curious to know more? Let us introduce you to the magical world of Fabrique des Lumières.
What is Fabrique des Lumières?
Fabrique des Lumières means “factory of lights” in French, and it’s a digital art centre that hosts immersive art exhibitions featuring moving images and music.
Using light, sound, and art, the exhibitions transport you into different worlds — be it by breathing life into the brushstrokes of artists like Van Gogh and Monet or by letting you get up close to the vastness of outer space.
Since 2022, the mesmerising art centre has been welcoming visitors from all over the world to a former gas factory in Amsterdam West, the historical Westergasfabriek.
While its wide walls are easily turned into a canvas where artwork can be projected, sound travels freely and evenly, allowing you to enjoy the carefully curated soundtrack accompanying each show.
What’s on right now?
A visit to Fabrique des Lumières usually features three exhibitions: a big one, lasting over half an hour, and two shorter ones, making the entire experience last about an hour.
As the shows may vary across days and timeslots, we recommend you check the centre’s program beforehand. (Or, you can just show up and let the exhibitions surprise you. 😉)
Too curious to wait? Here’s a sneak peek of what’s on right now.👇
Meet the Dutch Masters, from Vermeer to Van Gogh
It’s hard not to be moved when these amazing colours are paired with music. ❤️ Image: Fabrique des Lumières
The first of the big exhibitions currently on display is all about the Dutch classics.
Think big names like Vermeer, Rembrandt, and Van Gogh, but also many others — for a total of over 325 artworks by about 50 different painters.
The show is a true voyage through time, taking you on an exciting journey through Dutch history. In less than an hour, you will be transported to a charming Dutch village, to the middle of the sea in the eye of a raging storm, and to a bright, melancholy sunflower field. 🌻
While the main event unfolds in the big Hall, a small side room offers a slideshow featuring details about the paintings projected outside, giving you the chance for an informative break from the main show if any of the artworks spark your curiosity.
Dive into the colourful world of Mondriaan
Mondriaan switches up the mood. 🔴🔵🟡 Image: Fabrique des Lumières
There is something for modern art lovers included in your ticket as well. The exhibition dedicated to Mondriaan is one of the shorter ones, but in just a few minutes, it immerses visitors in a completely different atmosphere.
Forget the nostalgia of the Dutch masters, and make way for the hustle and bustle of modern life: think New York, skyscrapers, and Mondriaan’s colourful shapes and lines, all paired with some warm, lively jazz. 🎨
👀 Pro tip: For an enhanced experience, we recommend enjoying this exhibition while sitting or lying down in one of the Hall’s two small rooms covered in mirrors — thank us later.
Ready to dive into art?
Have we captured your curiosity? The Dutch Masters, from Vermeer to Van Gogh + Mondriaan can be enjoyed together at Fabrique des Lumières.
Tickets start at just €14 and can be bought at the entrance or online, where you can also find more detailed information about how to get there, working hours, and accessibility.
📍 Location:Pazzanistraat 37, 1014 DB Amsterdam 🎟️ Ticket price: Between €14 and €18 (free for children under 5) ⏰ Opening times: Every day from 9:45 AM to 10:40 AM
Have you been to Fabrique des Lumières before? Tell us all about your art travels in the comments below.
After several long months, the EU is finally taking a stand against Israel and the ongoing genocide in Gaza. Here’s what we know! 👇
Earlier this month, the Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs suggested an investigation into Israel’s activities in the region. Initially, support didn’t come easily. (Ja, we’re looking at you, Germany. 👀)
Now, backed by the support of 16 EU member states, the Dutch proposal has finally been accepted and greenlit by the Foreign Policy Chief, Kaja Kallas. A minor diplomatic win, but an important one, nonetheless!
Dutch initiative gains EU support
While the investigation might seem like a small step, Kysia Hekster, the NOS’ EU correspondent, notes that it has special significance. 👇
Why? Well, “because it comes from the Netherlands, which is seen as one of Israel’s most loyal allies,” she explains.
Hekster also added that it “shows how terrible the situation in Gaza is, that more and more countries are permeated by it and that they are now really saying: the European Union must also take action.”
Minister Veldkamp is of a similar mind, telling the NOS that Israel’s blockade of aid supplies to Gaza “is against international humanitarian law”.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza is catastrophic. There is an urgent need for massive aid to relieve the suffering. It is good that the EU sent a strong signal to Israel today to lift the humanitarian blockade fully and as soon as possible. 1/3 pic.twitter.com/Vb92Fj4QDe
He added that until the proposed investigation is carried out, the Netherlands will use its veto power to block negotiations in the EU–Israel cooperation agreement.
Humanitarian law under the spotlight
Human rights organisations around the world have long argued that Israel is guilty of violations of international humanitarian law, or even of committing genocide.
Eve Geddie, Director of Amnesty International’s European Institutions Office, stated: “While this is a welcome first step, it also comes devastatingly late. The extent of human suffering in Gaza for the past 19 months has been unimaginable. Israel is committing genocide in Gaza with chilling impunity.”
Do you believe this could lead to real change? Share your thoughts and join the conversation below! 👇
The UK and EU have finally struck a deal to clean up some of Brexit’s lingering mess, and the Netherlands is about to feel the difference.
After years of customs queues, confusing rules, and general frustration, change is finally in the air.
The Trade and Cooperation Agreement, as reported by the European Commission, is set to make things easier and faster.
But what does that mean for you? Let’s have a look. 👇
Bye-bye border chaos
Post-Brexit trade was a headache, but things are finally looking up. The UK is aligning its import rules with the EU’s, cutting red tape for goods and making the British market worth considering again.
Some of the biggest winners? Travellers! EU citizens can use e-passport gates at UK airports, and Heathrow queues may finally return to a human length.
With any luck, airport lines will start looking less like a glitch in the matrix. Image: Depositphotos
Fun fact: Even your dog can now cross the channel without needing a whole heap of paperwork.
Since the UK is once again recognising EU animal health rules, there’s no need for a vet-issued passport or vaccination certificate. 🐾
Powering down your energy bill
You don’t need to trade with the UK to feel this change. New energy agreements mean Dutch households may soon see lower electricity prices. 💪
As part of the deal, the UK will import nuclear energy from France, while EU countries gain access to British reserves.
Both sides are also investing in wind farms in the North Sea, a move expected to deliver more stable, greener, and affordable power. ⚡
Studying in the UK has become easier
Students, take note. The UK is rejoining Erasmus+, which will make access to British universities more affordable.
Until that’s in place, the Youth Experience Scheme will ease visa access for young Dutch citizens who want to work or study in the UK for a set period.
It’s designed to open doors for travel, education, and cultural exchange on both sides of the Channel.
Although the €20,000 tuition fee still applies for non-EU students, Erasmus+ is expected to change that and will eventually make a Dutch student card your all-access pass to British campuses. 🎓
Defence gets a boost
The deal also strengthens Europe’s defence strategy.
The UK will contribute to the European Fund for Rearmament and invest in new weapons systems, reducing the pressure on EU budgets.
Even more crucially, British intelligence will be shared with Brussels — a valuable tool for fighting cross-border crime.
For the Netherlands, that means extra muscle in tackling international drug trafficking.
So, are we finally moving on? Is this the Brexit clean-up we needed — or too little, too late? Drop your thoughts below. 💬
Following yesterday’s discovery, the search for missing Jeffrey (10) and Emma (8) has come to a devastating end.
Shortly after midnight on May 20, Winschoten police recovered a submerged car from a canal near the Renselweg in the province of Groningen.
Inside, they found bodies. Police now confirm that the bodies belong to the missing children, as well as their father, who was suspected of having kidnapped them.
Police have now made a positive ID
Jeffrey and Emma were last seen in their father’s grey Toyota Avensis on Saturday afternoon.
The car in question: a silver-grey Toyota Avensis. Image: Politie.nl/Press Release
Following the discovery of a disturbing letter penned by their father, Klaas Bijl (67), police released an Amber Alert, believing the children to be in “mortal danger”.
This Amber Alert has now been lifted, as the three bodies in the car were confirmed to belong to Jeffrey, Emma, and their father.
You might have heard that the Netherlands is a super sustainable, climate-friendly country — a green warrior’s dream. The truth, however, is that this country still has a long way to go.
The Netherlands has an image of being as green as its ever-lasting fields, but listen, all praise is in need of some reality checks every now and then.
Step one to get any society moving towards a greener future is the good ol’ practice of recycling. It’s well-established, it’s second nature to most people, and it’s really, really easy. Well, to most people, in most places.
Recycling in the Netherlands can be a confusing affair… Image: Depositphotos
However, in the Netherlands, recycling systems vary a lot, and largely depend on where you live (literally, it might even differ from street to street).
In The Hague, for example, paper waste is collected at your doorstep once a month, while Leiden inhabitants have to make the journey to a paper waste collection point.
The Hague requires its people to separate plastic waste from other waste, while Leiden folks don’t have to worry about that (they have a fancy system extracting it after collection).
In many places, recycling depends on individuals’ willingness to seek out recycling stations, and drag their collected waste there.
For busy bees, this is not only hard to achieve, but also tragically easy to forget.
That being said, while confusing rules might be a hassle, the Netherlands is doing pretty well on the recycling front. The little country recycled 56.8% of their municipal waste in 2020, placing them above average in Europe.
Still, we can’t help but ask how high it could have ranked, if the Dutch system was just a touch more user-friendly and accessible.
2. Contribute towards global deforestation, in more ways than one
Forests are an incredibly important piece in the puzzle of sucking carbon out of the atmosphere. But that’s just the beginning of the story.
Woods, generally speaking, are also key to mitigating the effects related to drought and flood, and maintaining the world’s biodiversity.
The earth is dependent on its forests to handle C02 emissions properly. Image: Depositphotos
However, between 2001 and 2023, the global tree coverage decreased by 12%. This has been described as a significant climate hazard, brought about by a range of factors, amongst which is wildfires due to climate change, and deforestation related to agriculture.
A group of seven European countries are responsible for 80% of the EU’s combined deforestation — and guess which country is a part of this group? The Netherlands.
Not only that: the Netherlands also snatched a spot among the top three countries when it came to deforestation per capita between 2005 and 2017.
In addition, the lowlands is also a huge driver of deforestation abroad (when importing commodities from countries like Brazil), placing them in fourth place in Europe when it comes to CO2 emissions from tropical deforestation. Yikes.
The Netherlands has Europe’s second highest nitrogen balance, meaning they’re contributing greatly to the slippery slope toward ecological catastrophe.
That’s why the Dutch government has promised to slash nitrogen emissions by 50% before 2030. Reasonable enough when faced with a climate crisis of the scale we are today, right?
“No farmers, no food” was the campaign that led to empty supermarket shelves last summer. Image: Depositphotos
Not everyone agrees, however, with the chosen strategy. Slashing nitrogen emissions will impact Dutch livestock farmers drastically, and they have certainly let their dismay be heard.
With over 100 million livestock, the Netherlands is often considered one of the world’s main food producers — a fact the Dutch farmers know all too well.
That’s why, in previous years, they’ve been protesting the hell out of the Dutch government’s decision to limit nitrogen.
4. Exist as one of the world’s top meat lovers
Speaking of livestock, it’s probably no surprise that the country which invented the frikandel is also Europe’s biggest meat exporter, and the one of the world’s largest beef exporters.
It’s also no secret that meat production in general, and beef production most of all, is one of the most harmful industries in the equation of fighting climate change.
Feeding animals to feed humans is not the most efficient recipe to take care of the earth’s climate… Image: Depositphotos
That being said, the Netherlands is not the worst country when it comes to actual meat consumption, lying at about 76kg of meat consumed per person annually.
That’s about the average in Europe, but if you think that sounds like too much, it’s because it is — from both a global and an environmental perspective.
Limiting the consumption of meat (and dairy) is the most impactful change you can implement in order to reduce the carbon footprint of your diet.
Yet Dutch people are lagging behind many similar European populations when it comes to adopting a full-on vegetarian diet (what about the bitterballen and kaas?).
There’s no doubt which country this picture is from, is there? Image: Depositphotos
All this is true, of course, but the rosy-red (or shall we say, green) fairytale of sustainable Dutch energy is sobered by the fact that Dutch people consume surprisingly little renewable energy themselves.
The lion’s share of Dutch energy consumption is still fueled by natural gas and oil — so much so that the Netherlands had the third-lowest ratio of renewable energy consumption of all IEA countries in 2018.
Although the share of consumers opting for a green alternative is rising, the Dutch lag noticeably behind when compared to many other European countries.
6. Scooters everywhere, for no reason
The Netherlands is, famously, the land of bikes. And why wouldn’t it be?
The country is as flat as its pancakes, small enough for all its cities to be reachable by virtually any means of transportation, and has streets safe enough to cater to even the most chaotic cycling beginner.
At least some people opt for an electric one… Image: Depositphotos
But if you’ve spent more than a few days in any Dutch city, you’ll know that the humble bike is far from everyone’s favourite ride of choice. 🚲
We’ll give you a hint, it’s like a bike, but much louder and far more damaging to the environment.
More Dutch people than you’d think love to opt for a motorised scooter, even for short trips that are highly bikeable. Why not just bike, when the time and effort saved is so minimal?
The fact that Dutch bike paths are full of scooters is as confusing as it is annoying — both from an environmental and road safety perspective.
That being said, Dutch biking culture is among the best in the world, so the scooter issue might not be worth our worries (yet).
7. Produce tulips like there’s no tomorrow
Don’t worry, we’re not about to call for a nationwide tulip ban. The Dutch would have a collective heart attack. Still, that doesn’t take away from the fact that the Dutch tulip industry is anything but a climate enthusiast’s dream. 🌷
Have you ever seen a more Dutch view? Image: Depositphotos
Firstly, although a delightful bouquet of tulips is a lovely gift, it goes without saying that the practice of growing massive amounts of plants, only to cut them down and leave them to die on a kitchen counter, is rather wasteful.
Secondly, the cold, cloudy, and windy climate in the Netherlands sometimes creates a need for greenhouses in order to produce flowers for the rest of the world.
These often require the use of highly energy-intensive C02-producing machines, with heating systems powered by natural gas.
Finally, even without greenhouses, the Dutch flower industry is also very water-intensive, and makes use of enormous amounts of (in many cases) harmful pesticides.
These pesticides are a danger to natural pollinators, soil quality, water quality, and the overall sustainability of the Netherlands’ world-famous flower industry.
8. Throw even more planes up into the air
The biggest airport in the Netherlands (and one of the busiest in Europe), Schiphol, is currently moving ahead with plans to build a new terminal.
Scheduling heaps more flights is hardly the most sustainable move the airport has ever made. Image: Depositphotos
This will make space for 14 million extra passengers taking off into the skies every year. We can’t help but wonder if the climate goggles were left at home during the brainstorm about this new Schiphol terminal.
In spite of this, Schiphol never misses an opportunity to brag about its great sustainability goals and climate-wokeness.
For example, it boasts that its buildings are wind-powered, and that it aims to be a “no-emissions airport” by 2030. That does not, however, take away from the fact that another Schiphol terminal means a lot more air traffic.
And a lot more air traffic is unquestionably moving in the opposite direction of where we should be heading, according to the Dutch (and most other) government(s).
They even told Schiphol to significantly limit the number of flights per year, for environmental reasons — something isn’t adding up.
9. Use plastic. Everywhere.
One aspect of life in the Netherlands that has surprised many newcomers lately is the amount of plastic in Dutch grocery stores.
Cardboard boxes would be a much more sustainable alternative. Image: Depositphotos
Although the Netherlands is not the worst in many aspects when it comes to plastic pollution, it is hard to ignore the piles of plastic used for unnecessary protection of produce. Most of which ends up in the world’s oceans — despite the consumer’s attempts and intentions of recycling.
Furthermore, even though the Netherlands has a ban on free plastic bags, virtually no Dutch stores provide plastic-free bag alternatives.
If you forget to pack an extra tote for your after-work grocery shopping, most stores in the Netherlands will make you choose between a 20-cent plastic bag, and carrying all your food home in your arms.
For most consumers in a time pinch, the choice is pretty simple. 🤷
The Netherlands is doing a lot in the global fight against climate change, but the sad truth is that there’s little time to rest on the laurels. More effort is needed in many aspects of Dutch society, despite its reputation for being a green powerhouse. ♻️
What do you think: does the Netherlands deserve its title as a sustainable superpower? Tell us your opinions in the comments below!
