Berlin starts Kiez-Box: Together against food waste!

Berlin starts Kiez-Box: Together against food waste!

Kreuzberg, Berlin, Deutschland - Berlin strengthens its efforts to waste food and put on the first Kiez box on June 2, 2025 for redistribution of food donations in the market hall Neun in Kreuzberg. This neighborhood box represents a central element of the campaign, which aims to increase the value of food and set a sign against waste. The introduction of the neighborhood box takes place in cooperation with the food sharing movement and is supported by the Berlin Consumer Center. Senator for Justice and Consumer Protection, Dr. Felor Badenberg, emphasizes the importance of this Initiative as part of a broader concept for containing food waste in the city.

A round table has been active against food waste since October 2024, which is guided by the senator and in which around 40 actors from trade, table movement and civil society organizations are involved. The aim is to develop measures to avoid containers and systematically reduce food waste in Berlin. The first results were presented as part of the Green Week 2025.

goals of the initiative

The initiatives of the round table include a publicly effective campaign, a Berlin -wide action day and educational measures to promote the appreciation of food. Other Kiez boxes are also planned, which are to be set up in Berlin during the year. The neighborhood boxes are geared towards providing rescued foods such as fruit, vegetables and baked goods, but no fish, meat or dairy products. This should facilitate access to saved foods and promote a culture of sharing. In addition, a Berlin -wide campaign is prepared for appreciation of food, which will take place as part of the action week "too good for the bin".

The planned introduction of Kiez refrigeration cabinets, which also part of the nationwide project "Germany saves food!" are in autumn. These refrigerators are to be set up in various neighborhoods in order to enable the free transfer of saved foods and to further raise awareness of the problem of food waste. This is in line with the aim of reducing food waste by 50 percent by 2030.

numbers and challenges

Current data indicate that around 11 million tons of food end up in the trash in Germany, with 60 percent of them come from private households. In Berlin, statistically around 29 kg of food drops come together per person. However, experts warn that the actual amount could be significantly higher. In comparison, the average food drop per consumer in Germany is around 76 kg per year, according to the Federal Ministry.

The initiatives also provide bureaucratic relief for food dispensers, including a proposal for liberation from sales tax for food donations. These measures are crucial to increase the willingness of supermarkets and other food providers to donate excess food. Despite the progress, however, there are critical voices from the opposition regarding the financing and coherence of the political decisions of the Senate.

Senator Badenberg and representatives of the Berlin-Brandenburg trade association therefore call for de-bureaucratization and increased cooperation of everyone involved. The use for less food waste in Berlin remains a central concern of the city government, and the neighborhood box is only the first step on the way to a more sustainable food culture.

For a closer look at the measures against food waste in Berlin, read the detailed reports from berlin.de , rbb24.de