TAKING THE STAGE

Sustainability is a topic that can no longer be ignored, including here in Rotterdam Central District. And with good reason: many local companies are making sustainability a top priority, and it is a major and growing concern for people living and working in the area as well. We set out to ask people on the streets about the role sustainability plays in their lives. How would you respond if your friends or colleagues started offering sustainability pointers? Or if your employer forced you to turn the thermostat down to no more than 18 degrees?

Vonneke

“To be honest, I think it would be brilliant if my colleagues offered pointers on how to lead a more sustainable lifestyle by letting me know there are things I could do differently or point out more conscientious choices I could be making in certain areas. Fortunately, we’re all very open with each other at my office, so that actually happens. It’s not a topic we avoid and we feel free to discuss it openly and honestly.”

Olivia

“I’m definitely conscious of sustainability in a bunch of ways. For one thing, we eat less meat at home. I generally also like meat substitutes better than real meat, and I love the fact that it’s becoming easier all the time to eat vegetarian. It’s good that it is being normalized and that meat substitutes are as easily available at the supermarket as real meat. For the rest, if I need to go anywhere I usually take the bike or train. I don’t mind biking anyway, and if it makes me environmentally-friendly, that’s a nice bonus.”

Mirko

“I’m always trying to be actively sustainable in some way. Like when I go to the supermarket, I often look at how a product was made and I try to buy organic if I can. I love chocolate and I know it’s hard for farmers these days, so I take extra care to check if products are fair for farmers. I am totally okay with paying more for something that is better for the world. Sustainability really means a lot to me.”

Rogier

“I would love it if the office thermostat weren’t allowed to go higher than 18 degrees. It’s always too hot for me. I’ve got a coat on now, but I’m only wearing a short-sleeve T-shirt underneath. Even on a winter day like this! I do talk about the environment with my friends and family sometimes, but more about things like public transport and how we generate power, and what’s the most environmentally-friendly option.”

Richey

“At home, I separate my waste as much as possible. I live in a pretty big household and we all do what we can. We are all bartenders, so we’re very careful about our food and fruit. In terms of food, we are super sustainable. We separate paper, too. We could do better on conserving water and textiles, but we’re taking it one step at a time.”

Robine

“If we weren’t allowed to turn the heating higher than 18 at school, that would honestly feel pretty cold to me. I wouldn’t like it, but I know we have to be conscious and everyone has to do their part. Given the choice, I’d rather not – but if we’ve got to, okay. At school right now it doesn’t feel like that at all, though, I’d say more like 40 degrees in the classrooms!”

Suzanne And Liam

S: “We do talk about sustainability a lot, both with friends and family. For me, it’s mostly about vegetarian and vegan food and the impact that has towards living sustainably.”

L: “And also shopping for clothes. So, do I buy second-hand or new? What difference will it make? With clothes, it’s mostly about practicality for me, so the question is: do I really need it and does it need to be new? I think about sustainability, but it’s also self-interest. And sure, if I fall in love with something, I will buy it new. But I tend to think second-hand or vintage are good alternatives.”

S: “If I really need something, I’ll just buy it, but sometimes second-hand is even nicer. Hunting for that cool item is also a whole adventure in itself and definitely worth it, haha.”