On 8 October 2026, stakeholders from Berlin’s reuse and zero-waste community gathered for a networking meeting organised as part of the Re-Use Berlin Initiative of the Berlin Senate Department for Mobility, Transport, Climate Protection and the Environment. For Hannah Brunkhorst, as a new researcher at Ecologic Institute, the event was a valuable opportunity to meet project partners and other people in person that are working in waste prevention, recycling and reuse. It also provided a chance to promote the upcoming expert dialogue on food appreciation, which she will moderate in January 2027 as part of the Re-Use project at the International Green Week (Grüne Woche).

Taking Stock of Progress and Exploring New Initiatives

The afternoon focused on reviewing the initiative’s various components. These included the Re-Use Superstore, a space where different stakeholders can offer second-hand goods, helping to make sustainable products and services more visible and accessible to the public. Participants also learned about a CO₂ calculator that enables shops to show customers how many emissions can be avoided by purchasing second-hand goods. Another focus was the digital Re-Use Partner Map, which highlights Berlin-based businesses, associations and other organisations promoting reuse. These range from second-hand shops and providers of recycled textiles to repair cafés and upcycling initiatives.

Building Connections for a More Circular Future

The two expert dialogues held in 2025 were also revisited, with feedback from participants pointing to an overall very positive resonance. Hannah Brunkhorst then provided an update on preparations for the next expert dialogue. The meeting allowed her to establish new contacts with potential contributors and gather additional ideas to inform the planning process.
Along side light refreshments and during a subsequent round of introductions, participants shared information about new products, events and other initiatives within the network. These included the Zero Waste Action Weeks, a new alliance promoting sustainable textiles, upcycling workshops and an upcoming recycling poetry slam addressing waste pollution.

What our colleagues found particularly impressive was the potential of networking to bring about meaningful change. The meeting helped her to learn about the diversity of Berlin’s reuse and zero-waste community and recognise the considerable progress made since the initiative began in 2018. Once again, it demonstrated that a circular economy thrives when committed individuals and organisations come together to share experiences, identify synergies and develop new ideas collaboratively.