Re-Use Berlin

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Re-Use Berlin

Status

ongoing

City

Berlin

Main actors

City Government, Private Sector, NGO / Philanthropy, Community / Citizen Group

Project area

Whole City/Administrative Region

Duration

Ongoing since 2018

The Re-Use Berlin initiative aims to raise awareness for sustainable consumption by promoting the reuse of products as a genuine alternative to buying new ones. This campaign is implemented through several modules that involve testing and implementing new concepts for donating and purchasing second-hand goods. Initially, collection campaigns were conducted at weekly markets and pop-up stores, but since 2020, the initiative has been running a department store for second-hand goods - the Re Use Superstore - in an established Berlin department together with partners, complemented by various events, lectures, and workshops.

Moreover, the initiative holds idea competitions, implementing some of the best suggestions in follow-up actions, and regularly organises expert dialogues on various relevant topics. As part of the initiative, collection boxes for used glasses, printer cartridges, and exchange boxes for used shipping materials are set up across the city. Additionally, the Re-Use Initiative sees itself as a networking platform where multiple Berlin actors collaborate to achieve common goals. For instance, in January 2023, 24 actors from the Re-Use scene presented themselves together in the "Re-Use Superstore" at the international "Green Week" trade fair in Berlin. Finally, all campaign activities are extensively promoted both offline and online, using diverse communication channels like events, press releases, flyers, and social media, with the support of celebrities and city light columns.

For further information about the case study, click here.

Sustainable Development Goals

City

Berlin, Germany

Size and population development

In 2019, the municipality of Berlin had a population of 3,669,491 inhabitants, making it the most populous city in the European Union (EU). The larger metropolitan area has about 5 million inhabitants.

Population composition

According to estimations, about one third of Berlin’s population was foreign born or has a migratory background. These inhabitants originate from other parts of the EU—such as Poland, Italy or Bulgaria—as well as from countries outside of the EU, such as Syria, Vietnam or the United States of America. The largest non-native population comes from Turkey: In 2019, more than 107,000 Turkish nationals were registered as inhabitants of Berlin.

Main functions

Berlin is the capital and largest city of Germany. As a city-state it is also one of the country’s 16 Länder, as the federal states are called in Germany. Situated approximately 112 miles (180 km) south of the Baltic Sea, the city lies in the wide glacial valley of the Spree River, which runs through Berlin’s centre. The city extends over an area of 891.7 square kilometres and stands at an average altitude of 34 meters above sea level. After the reunification of Germany and East and West Berlin in 1990, the unified Berlin was re-established as the country’s capital (replacing Bonn, the former capital of West Germany). In 1999, large parts of the Federal Government and the German Bundestag finally moved back to Berlin. Berlin is a city of great historical significance, which becomes evident considering the amount of historical landmarks that visualize the city’s history. Some of the most important landmarks include the Brandenburg Gate (built in 1793), the Reichstag Building (which dates to 1884), remnants of the Berlin Wall (taken down on the 9th of November 1989) or the Holocaust memorial (inaugurated in 2003). Berlin is also a famous cultural hub, known for its world-class museums, theatres, operas and concert halls as well as its vibrant club scene and street art. Finally, the Brain City Berlin is a leading location for science and research. It is home to a number of prestigious universities such as the Freie Universität Berlin, the Humboldt Universität zu Berlin and the Technische Universität Berlin, with more than 35,000 students each as well as renowned research institutions and think tanks.

Main industries / business

As the fourth largest economy of the world, Germany has a wide array of prestigious industries. Berlin is home to a diverse mix of economic activities: state-owned enterprises, creative industries, automotive manufacturers, (digital) media corporations, high-tech and telecommunication companies as well as multiple digital pioneers that flourish in the city’s vibrant start-up scene. Tourism is constantly growing and brings about 14 million visitors (2019) to the city every year.

Sources for city budget

Berlin draws its budget for public expenditure largely from taxes, federal transfers, fees, fines and operating revenues. It is spent not only to provide high quality public services, but also to boost the city’s private sector, civil society engagement and cultural life.

Political structure

The city-state Berlin is governed by the Berlin Senate, which is comprised of 10 senators, and the Governing Mayor. As the capital of Germany, Berlin hosts the Bundesregierung (federal government), the Bundestag (federal parliament) and the Bundesrat (the parliamentary chamber of the 16 Länder). Each of the 16 Länder has a representation in Berlin. On many political issues, the Länder have co-legislative powers vis-à-vis the Federal government. Moreover, Berlin hosts embassies from more than 120 countries from around the world.

Administrative structure

Berlin is administrated by the Senate and its 12 districts or boroughs (Bezirke). The Senate is the city’s central administration, in charge of city planning, public policy, and the regulation of public and private spheres. The district administrations have some decentralized public functions, with reasonable differences between the various localities.

Website

http://www.berlin.de

The initiative was launched in 2018 with a feasibility and implementation study. As part of this preliminary work, an expert office examined the project’s potential and researched national and international best practice applications with regard to transferability to the Berlin context.

In 2019, the first collection days were organized at Berlin's weekly markets. Residents were invited to drop off their well-preserved items and receive advice on sustainable consumption. The concept of local drop-off was very well received. The collected treasures were then sold in pop-up stores with accompanying programs.

In 2020, the first second-hand goods department was opened in an established Berlin department store. Meanwhile, in addition to this Re-Use Superstore, Berlin also has an attractive municipal second-hand goods house, the NochMall. Good second-hand goods can be dropped off at three Berlin recycling centres and and sold at low prices at the NochMall. The "Centre for Resource Conservation" offers various actor’s opportunities to submit offers for the submission and acquisition of used materials such as building components, fabric and colour remnants, etc. In addition, help is provided for repairs, workshops, and various events. At the same time, usable items can be rented here. This program is aimed at neighbours, DIY enthusiasts, and creatives.

In addition, "shop-in-shop" models are being tested. For a short period, small pop-up stores are organized in shopping centres.

The initiative regularly hosts expert dialogues on various topics. In the past, experts exchanged ideas on the rescue of textiles from returns, the reuse of used information and communication technology, the reuse of building components and furnishings, and reusable transport packaging.

Every year, an idea competition is launched. These competitions are also thematically oriented. The best and most practical ideas are implemented as much as possible afterward. For example, the A-GAIN GUIDE - a digital guide to the reuse and recycling of used clothing in Berlin - was created as a result of this competition, as well as the exchange box for use of shipping materials.

Another important goal is to network the numerous Berlin actors in the field of re-use with the aim of increasing the visibility of the movement and bundling synergies. In January 2023, 24 actors joined forces in the "Re-Use Superstore" to present their activities at the "International Green Week" trade fair in the new "greener life" theme area. On an area of approximately 400 m², visitors to the trade fair were able to get to know the many offers from the segments of second-hand goods trade, upcycling, reusable, and food rescue and actively participate in workshops on repair and upcycling. A colourful program for students attracted several hundred participants.