Fewer tiles, more greenery in the city

What is the National Tile-Flipping Competition?

The National Tile-Flipping Competition runs from March 19 through October 31, 2026. This year will likely be the last time the National Tile-Flipping Competition is held. During the National Tile-Flipping Competition, we aim to replace as many tiles as possible with greenery. We’re doing this as a municipality, but you, as a resident, can also do this in your garden or on your own property. Report the number of tiles you’ve replaced at www.nktegelwippen.nl/tegelstand.

Tips and Promotions

We’d love to help you make our city greener. That’s why we’ve put together a few helpful tips for you.

Tiles and sand

You can take the pavers you remove from your yard to the drop-off center. You may bring up to 3 bags that you can carry yourself, free of charge. Please note: the pilot program allowing unlimited, free drop-off of yard pavers at the drop-off center will not begin until spring 2027.

There may be a layer of sand under your tiles. If this layer is more than 10 centimeters thick and you want to grow plants there, you’ll need to remove some of the sand. For sand as well, you may bring 3 bags—that you can lift yourself—to the drop-off center free of charge. You can bring a total of 3 free bags of tiles, soil, or sand to Umag. So, not 3 bags of tiles and 3 bags of sand.

Bees and butterflies

Are you looking for plants to fill the spot where you removed the tiles? If so, choose plants that attract bees and butterflies. Bees are struggling in the Netherlands, and you can help expand their habitat by selecting plants with this in mind. Garden centers often list which plants are suitable, or you can ask the staff for recommendations.

Advice on your garden

Would you like advice on how to make your garden greener? A Garden Ranger can visit you to discuss how to make your garden greener and create more space for nature. The Garden Rangers provide practical tips and ideas tailored to your needs. For more information, visit www.tuinrangers.nl or.

Grant for a green roof

The municipality of Zoetermeer is offering grants for green roofs. Residents, businesses, and foundations can receive a grant covering part of the cost of installing a green roof on an existing building, up to a certain maximum amount.

Why a green roof? Green roofs retain rainwater and allow it to drain slowly. This helps prevent flooding. In addition, green roofs lower temperatures in the summer and create a more pleasant living environment. They also help increase the number of plants and animals in the city, making it greener and more livable.

Applying for the grant is not complicated. All the information is clearly laid out for you at the Zoetermeer Green Roofs Grant 2025–2027.

Grant for rainwater harvesting systems

A rainwater catchment system is a great way to incorporate greenery into your garden. It also helps mitigate the effects of extreme rain and drought. This is essential, as we’re facing these conditions more and more often.

"Rainwater collection systems" is the general term for anything used to collect rainwater in your garden. This helps prevent rainwater from unnecessarily overloading the sewer system. Your garden is one big rainwater collection system: disconnect the downspout, install a small gutter to channel the water through the garden, and let it soak into the ground. Or collect it in a rain barrel, for example, and use the water as a reserve during drier periods.

Subsidies are also available for rainwater harvesting systems. You can explore the options at waterschappen.nl/extreem-weer/watervanger/#subsidiechecker.

What will the municipality be working on?

If we’re asking you to make your garden greener, the city must, of course, lead by example. That’s why, just like last year, we’ll be making several areas in Zoetermeer greener. These include the De Leyens shopping center and several streets in Meerzicht.