idverde NL wins the NDL Innovation Prize 2025!

10 questions for the winner

We spoke briefly with Floris Feenstra of idverde NL about their vision, motivation, and what this prize means to them.

1. Can you briefly introduce idverde NL? Who are you, what do you do, and what makes you unique?

At idverde NL, we help companies make their sustainability goals visible and measurable in the outdoor space. We design, create, and maintain green spaces for logistics and urban environments—not just to make them look attractive, but to make them smarter, more future-proof, and more valuable. Together with our clients, we aim to create impact on climate, biodiversity, spatial quality, and health.

Green is no longer a finishing touch—it’s a means to meet climate goals, reduce heat stress, boost biodiversity, and improve the image towards employees, municipalities, and stakeholders. What sets us apart? We combine practical design with ecology and data. That allows us to substantiate what greenery contributes—from CO₂ reduction to lower maintenance costs and increased site value. It also enhances performance on sustainability reporting frameworks like CSRD and strengthens an organisation’s green image.

What sets us apart? We combine practical design with ecology and data.

2. What is your role at idverde NL?

As a Sales Consultant, I work with our local branches and clients to develop future-proof outdoor spaces—practical and aligned with today’s ambitions. Think of smart planting schemes, water retention, ecological zones, and data-driven maintenance.

We also support companies in achieving sustainability certifications like BREEAM, where outdoor space plays an increasingly important role. The result: less heat stress, lower maintenance costs, better scores, and a site that leaves a positive impression on employees, visitors, and the surrounding area. It also contributes to a healthier working environment with less fine particulate matter, lower energy costs, and reduced safety risks.

3. You say: “At idverde NL, we are the green impact makers.” What do you mean by that?

We make the benefits of a well-designed outdoor area both measurable and tangible. Think of reducing heat stress, improving air quality, capturing CO₂, and increasing biodiversity. But also of creating a healthy, attractive working environment for staff and visitors.

We combine design, ecology, and data to make this impact visible. This helps organisations make informed decisions that support both their sustainability objectives and their day-to-day operations.

 4. What solution and project did you present during the Innovation Prize event?

During our pitch, we presented our collaboration with the Port of Rotterdam, where we are working on greening and maintaining the site.

In this project, we’re focusing on multiple objectives, including:

• 100% CO₂ reduction in transport and equipment
• Fully circular green waste management
• Increased biodiversity through ecological design
• Data-driven maintenance for greater efficiency and less waste

Using tools like ArcGIS and smart sensors, we make the effects of greening measurable. This enables us to substantiate the value of greenery with data and help logistics sites visibly contribute to their climate and certification goals.

 5. What results have you achieved so far at the Port of Rotterdam?

To date, 100% of green waste has been processed circularly, we’ve achieved an 87.7% CO₂ reduction, and biodiversity has demonstrably increased. Employees now experience the outdoor space as greener and more pleasant, which supports job satisfaction, pride, and the organisation’s image.

 6. What further results do you expect by the end of this year?

By the end of 2025, we expect to achieve full CO₂ reduction (100%) and a 10% increase in biodiversity compared to the starting situation. In addition, our data-driven approach will be expanded further through sensors and camera technology for real-time monitoring of green spaces. This makes maintenance smarter and more sustainable.

 7. Which result are you most proud of?

We are especially proud that greening has been integrated into an environment where you wouldn’t typically expect it: an industrial port. This project proves that greenery has functional and strategic value even there—supporting biodiversity, health, and image. And with data, we can demonstrate these effects and make the value of green spaces tangible for our clients.

8. Can you give an example of another sustainable project you’re currently working on (or recently completed)?

A great example is the redesign of the courtyard garden at the Bolduc business complex in ’s-Hertogenbosch. This site is located on the De Rietvelden industrial estate and borders the De Vliert residential area. The challenge? Transform a paved inner courtyard into a green space that contributes to health, climate adaptation, and the area’s attractiveness for businesses.

Together with the property owner and architects, we transformed the site into a pleasant outdoor environment with a strong focus on planting, shade, and natural materials. Rainwater systems were installed, seating areas were added among the greenery, and biodiversity has visibly increased. The green space contributes not only to quality of life but also to sustainable property management, increases user satisfaction, reduces air pollution and energy costs, and helps raise the value of the real estate.

 9. Why should other ports or logistics companies partner with idverde NL?

Because we prove that greening works—not just for the environment, but also for people, processes, and brand positioning. We help organisations design future-proof sites that visibly support sustainability goals, BREEAM certification, employee satisfaction, and corporate social responsibility—from vision to execution.

10. What does winning the NDL Innovation Prize mean to you?

This prize confirms that greening and innovation go hand in hand—even in the world of distribution and logistics. It’s recognition for our work, but even more so, an encouragement to inspire others: greening is not a nice-to-have, but a must-have for future-proof business.