It’s Earth Month, and as someone who tries to keep my carbon footprint smaller than my caffeine addiction (and that’s saying something), I thought I’d share some of my favorite sustainable habits and hidden eco-gems around Maastricht. Whether you’re a student on a budget or just someone who wants to feel better about their daily choices, I got you.
The App That Saves Food and Your Wallet
You’ve probably heard of it—but if you haven’t downloaded Too Good To Go, what are you waiting for?! It’s an app where local restaurants, cafés, and even supermarkets sell their unsold food at a discount so it doesn’t go to waste. I once got a mystery bag from a bakery that had three croissants, two breads, and a quiche for like… €3. Yes, I was living my Parisian fantasy on a Maastricht student budget. 10/10, would recommend.
Secondhand Shops
Fast fashion is out, vintage is in. And Maastricht has no shortage of secondhand treasure troves. Here’s a complete personal list:
- Kringloop Zuid – Watermolen 52
- Vintage Island – Platielstraat 1A
- Kringloop De Loods – Heerderdwarsstraat 47
- Twiede Hands Twiede Kans – François de Veyestraat 9
- Hartelstein Woonwerkgemeenschap – Hartelstein 204
- Kringloop Vintage&New – Raadhuisplein 4
- Secondhand4All – Bredestraat 16
- We-ar Vintage & Design – Achter Het Vleeshuis 33
- Weggeefwinkel De Heeg – Roserije 117-119
Pro tip: Go with a friend and challenge each other to find the weirdest/funkiest items.
Groceries & Cleaning supplies
Let’s talk low-waste groceries. I love checking out these spots where you can buy organic, unpackaged, and local stuff:
- Gedeelde Weelde (Petrus Regoutplein 2): Co-op vibes, bulk-buy everything, friendly faces. You’ll leave feeling like a responsible adult.
- Kamille & Dille: Amazing for natural household and cleaning products. It smells so good in there too!
- City Market (Markt – Wednesdays & Fridays): Local farmers, fresh produce, and a few organic/zero-waste stalls sprinkled in. Bring your own bag, obviously.
The Egg-cellent Day Trip You Didn’t Know You Needed
Okay, hear me out: there’s this egg farm in Eckelrade called Mergellandei, and YES it’s a bit of a trek. But these eggs? Chef’s kiss. Way cheaper than what you’d pay in town, and hands down the best scrambled eggs I’ve ever made.
To get there, you take Bus 57 to Linderweg and then walk about 20 minutes through the most picturesque countryside ever. Paved path, wildflowers, rolling fields—the full cottagecore fantasy.
Bring a friend, bring a backpack, bring snacks. Make it a day trip and thank me later.
So there you have it! Earth Month doesn’t have to mean radically changing your life overnight. A few small swaps—saving food, thrifting more, choosing local, and occasionally hiking for eggs—can add up to a big impact.
Let’s make green choices that feel good, taste good, and honestly… are just kinda fun.
Happy Earth Month, Maastricht 🌱
