How a day surrounded by green changed everything...

It was exactly seven-thirty in the morning when I - wearing a pair of old jeans and ever so slightly brand new safety shoes - got on the bus with Wilco. Every now and then, I tag along for a day with one of Vebego’s services. We do this to get a better understanding of the experiences of our colleagues. Vebego Groen was on the agenda today. This meant trimming shrubberies and preparing an indoor garden for winter. With Wilco behind the wheel, we drove into the morning sun.

While the world rolled past us, we talked about life and shared all kinds of stories about our work at Vebego. I felt a bit uncomfortable. The difference between my marketing office job and this man rolling up his sleeves every day was huge. After talking somewhat self-consciously about my job, I asked Wilco about his work in landscaping at Vebego. As he spoke, it soon became clear to me that his concern for our planet was exceptional.

Wilco talked passionately about biodiversity; a balanced nature with a rich variety of plants and animals. Through Vebego, he now knew everything about it. He prefers to let nature take its course and his chaotic, full-foliage front garden is living proof of that. Much to the annoyance of his neighbours. We both laughed about it. But he also shared his deep concerns about biodiversity now, and in the future. In the past, he had questioned whether it was even responsible to bring children into the world. It moved me. As the conversation progressed, Wilco grew quieter and gazed into thin air for a while. Then he asked the question that completely changed the vibe of our conversation: “I find myself asking myself more and more, Leon, what are we truly doing with this world?” A silence fell. The question haunted me and planted itself in my mind.

That bus ride completely changed my perspective on the impact of our landscaping colleagues like Wilco. He himself also came to realise during our conversation that he was actually making a positive impact through his daily efforts. I still think about what he said every week. For example, when I dump my potato peelings in the compost outside, instead of throwing them in the general trash can inside. Or on hot summer days, when I allow the grass to grow above my ankles. I’m well aware that these are just small steps in a much bigger picture, and that a lot more needs to be changed. With Vebego, we have that opportunity to make a real difference. So every day we think about the next step to make the world a greener, healthier place. What that is exactly, I don’t know yet. But with Wilco’s question in the back of my mind, I am sure that we are on the right track.