Erasmus Traineeship at RotterZwam: Sustainable Mushroom Production in Rotterdam
Published: 27. jan. 2026
From October 27, 2025, to January 2, 2026, I completed my Erasmus traineeship at RotterZwam, a Rotterdam-based company dedicated to sustainable mushroom production. By growing mushrooms on urban waste streams, such as spent coffee grounds, coffee bean husks, and spent grains from brewing, the company operates within a circular system that connects the city, fungi, and sustainability.
During my traineeship, I supported various stages of mushroom cultivation, including substrate preparation using coffee grounds and other organic waste, inoculation with mushroom spawn, and monitoring of growing conditions. I also participated in harvesting and delivering products to clients, gaining practical insight into the operations and logistics of a small sustainable business. Through this hands-on involvement, I also became aware of the many practical and operational challenges faced by a small sustainable company, gaining a realistic understanding that implementing sustainable solutions is not always as straightforward as it may appear.
RotterZwam is, however, much more than a mushroom production company. The organization is planning to develop in multiple sectors within sustainable urban agriculture, including mushroom-based dietary supplements, innovative energy-efficient approaches to substrate sterilization, and the design and production of modular mushroom-growing rooms and container facilities. This broader vision allowed me to understand how innovation and sustainability are integrated across different aspects of urban agriculture.
Through this experience, I gained hands-on technical skills across the entire mushroom production cycle while learning to maintain high quality standards within a sustainability-driven business. Working in a welcoming and supportive international team strengthened my communication, interpersonal, and intercultural skills, while providing insight into logistics coordination and the day-to-day operation of a sustainable company.
Beyond the workplace, the traineeship offered opportunities for cultural exchange, allowing me to explore Dutch cities and experience a relaxed yet professional working culture. Overall, my time at RotterZwam combined practical learning, professional development, and international experience, highlighting the real-world application of circular economy principles.
I would like to sincerely thank the Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School and the hospitality of the RotterZwam team for making this valuable experience possible.
Lara Ropič Bizjak, Master of Ecotechnologies
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