Dutch municipalities compete to replace tiles with greenery in national championship
Residents across the Netherlands are swapping garden tiles for plants in the final edition of the National Tile-Ripping Championship. By removing tiles, they help combat climate change, reduce urban heat, and improve mental well-being—while competing for unique greenery prizes.
| Key Data Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | National Tile-Ripping Championship (NK Tegelwippen) |
| Duration | March 25 – October 31, 2026 |
| Participating municipalities | Tholen + 12 Zeeland municipalities (e.g., Middelburg, Vlissingen) |
| Free tile taxi service | Up to 2 m² (≈22 tiles) collected via BuitenBeter app or phone (14 0166) |
| Prizes | Unique greenery from Walibi Holland, Kröller Müller Museum, etc. |
| Tiles removed (past 6 years) | 20 million (≈360 football fields) |
| Goal for 2026 | 25 million tiles removed |
| Benefits | Better water absorption, cooler cities, improved mental health |
The municipality of Tholen, like many others in the Netherlands, is promoting urban greening as part of national climate adaptation efforts. Local governments play a key role in encouraging residents to adopt sustainable practices through initiatives like the Tile-Ripping Championship.
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National Tile-Ripping Championship Kicks Off with Tile Taxi
The National Tile-Ripping Championship (NK Tegelwippen) is underway and will run until October 31, 2026! The municipality of Tholen is participating alongside numerous other municipalities in the final edition of the NK Tegelwippen. Out with the tiles, in with the greenery. During the NK Tegelwippen, we encourage residents to remove tiles from their gardens and replace them with plants, grass, or flowers. This way, we work together to create a climate-resilient living environment: more greenery ensures better water absorption during heavy downpours, cooler cities during hot summers, and a healthier and more pleasant living environment. Everyone can register their removed tiles via nk-tegelwippen.nl. In our municipality, we are offering a free tile taxi service.
Tile Taxi
Tiles removed? Use the Tholen tile taxi! The Tholen tile taxi will collect up to 2 m² of tiles for free. This is approximately 22 tiles measuring 30x30 cm. Report the tiles via the BuitenBeter app. Select ‘Problem with paving’ in the app, then ‘Missing’. Add your photo of the pile of tiles and mention ‘Tile Taxi’. You can also call our general number for the tile taxi: 14 0166. More information at www.tholen.n/tegeltaxi.
Zeeland Tile-Ripping PoultryThis year, our municipality is also ‘competing’ with other Zeeland municipalities in a Zeeland group (poultry): Borsele, Goes, Hulst, Kapelle, Middelburg, Noord-Beveland, Reimerswaal, Schouwen-Duiveland, Sluis, Terneuzen, Veere, and Vlissingen are all in the running. Check the current standings at www.nk-tegelwippen.nl/rivalen/zeeuwse-tegelwippers-2
Win & Plant a Famous Piece of Dutch GreeneryThis year, all tile-rippers have a chance to win a famous piece of greenery for their own garden. In the Wipshop, which goes live today, unique pieces of greenery are on display, sourced from places like Walibi Holland and the Kröller Müller Museum. Everyone can participate by removing tiles from their garden and registering. The pieces of greenery range from symbolic and historical to iconic, offering participants a unique piece of nature or greenery that makes their garden special.
Why Removing Tiles is So ImportantThe weather in the Netherlands is becoming increasingly extreme, with heavy rain showers and prolonged heat. Tiles block rainwater and absorb heat, causing cities to become warmer. Greenery in gardens and neighborhoods absorbs water, cools the surroundings, and contributes to a more pleasant living environment. Research by Leiden University and Stanford University shows that even a short moment in nature of less than 15 minutes reduces stress, boosts energy, and makes you more alert, while longer exposure has even stronger effects. More greenery in gardens and neighborhoods not only helps combat climate issues but also directly contributes to the mental health and well-being of residents.
360 Football FieldsIn the past six years, over 20 million tiles in the Netherlands have been replaced with grass, flowers, shrubs, and trees. This equates to about 360 football fields of additional greenery. The ultimate goal for this edition is to reach the milestone of 25 million tiles removed.
Zeeland Tile-Ripping Poultry
This year, our municipality is also ‘competing’ with other Zeeland municipalities in a Zeeland group (poultry): Borsele, Goes, Hulst, Kapelle, Middelburg, Noord-Beveland, Reimerswaal, Schouwen-Duiveland, Sluis, Terneuzen, Veere, and Vlissingen are all in the running. Check the current standings at nk-tegelwippen.nl/rivalen/zeeuwse-tegelwippers-2.
This year, all tile-rippers have a chance to win a famous piece of greenery for their own garden. In the Wipshop, on the NK Tegelwippen website, unique pieces of greenery are on display, sourced from places like Walibi Holland and the Kröller Müller Museum. Everyone can participate by removing tiles from their garden and registering.
Why Removing Tiles is So Important
The weather in the Netherlands is becoming increasingly extreme, with heavy rain showers and prolonged heat. Tiles block rainwater and absorb heat, causing cities to become warmer. Greenery in gardens and neighborhoods absorbs water, cools the surroundings, and contributes to a more pleasant living environment. According to research by Leiden University and Stanford University, even a short moment in nature of less than 15 minutes reduces stress, boosts energy, and makes you more alert, while longer exposure has even stronger effects. More greenery in gardens and neighborhoods not only helps combat climate issues but also directly contributes to the mental health and well-being of residents.
360 Football Fields
In the past six years, over 20 million tiles in the Netherlands have been replaced with grass, flowers, shrubs, and trees. This equates to about 60 football fields of additional greenery. The ultimate goal for this edition is to reach the milestone of 25 million tiles removed.