Berlin Free Box - Street Giveaways!

All over Berlin, people leave out stuff in boxes, on window sills or thoughtfully set aside on the foot path.

This is the phenomenon of the 'Berlin Free Box' - unwanted items left out for the passer-by public to pick at. Like an informal recycling program.

When you first encounter the Berlin Free Box you can easily be mistaken for thinking 'who left this crap here' or 'someone has forgotten their stuff' and 'someone must be moving into this apartment and will come back for their things later'.

But you soon can discern what is stuff to take and stuff that still belongs to someone! Usually a small notice lets you know what the situation is:

• Free Box (Self explanatory!)
• Zum Verschenken / Zu Verschenken (to give away for free)
• Zum Mitnehmen  (to take away)
• Geschenk (gift)

And in these Free Boxes all kinds of stuff is up for offer.

Most often its kitchen type stuff (glasses cutlery, pans),

often clothing,

household wares

Often shoes (and almost always in a terribly worn condition!).

books.

And sometimes even larger items like (working) microwaves and fridges! But sometimes you just get there too late and find an empty box, wondering forever what was in it...

The Free Box is an interesting street presence. After a while you know it is going to be mostly junk but you crane your head anyway to see what is inside as curiosity gets the better of you. 

And every so often you might actually find something that you will want to take. 

What is also interesting is that even though you might see this stuff as junk - if there is a Free Box on your street and you walk past it several times over a few days - all the stuff always disappears!!

A public recycling initiative brought to you by the citizens of Berlin.