Frieder Söling
In 2020, Berliner Stadtreinigungsbetriebe (BSR) opened NochMall on the site of a former hardware store in Berlin-Reinickendorf. Berlin's first second-hand department store is far more than a large second-hand shop: here you can buy not only used furniture, clothing, electrical appliances and books. Within five years, NochMall has become a destination for everyone in Berliner who is interested in the circular economy and waste prevention or wants to learn how to make new things out of "old" things. NochMall is also a flagship project of the "Re-Use Berlin" zero-waste initiative, which was launched in 2018 by the Senate Department for Mobility, Transport, Climate Protection and Environment. Frieder Söling is the managing director of NochMall. Together with his colleague Christoph Ingelmann, he steers the development of the second-hand department store, which celebrated its fifth birthday in August 2025. In this interview, he explains the project’s concept and objectives – and describes NochMall’s challenges and successes.
How did BSR come up with the idea of setting up a second-hand department store in Berlin five years ago?
We noticed that although a lot of second-hand goods were being disposed of as waste at BSR recycling centres although they were in good condition and there were no reliable buyers for the large quantities of these goods in Berlin. That is why we opened NochMall five years ago.
Before NochMall, you worked as an innovation manager in the smart city ecosystem. Where are the overlaps?
The circular economy can only be successful and sustainable if it is also economically viable. While waste prevention and reuse are the top of the waste hierarchy, they are often run at a loss. Smart city solutions can help to digitise processes and make them more efficient. They can open up new customer groups and sales channels. Plus, they can increase the convenience and thus acceptance among the various user groups. This ensures the long-term economic viability and competitiveness of what the circular economy has to offer.
Berlin has committed itself to "zero waste" as part of its waste management concept for 2020 to 2030. As a waste disposal company, BSR is one of the most important partners when it comes to implementing this strategy. Is zero waste even possible?
For us, zero waste means: consuming less and more consciously, using reusable products, and buying and repairing long-lasting or used products instead of throwing them away. Zero waste is a vision that requires patience to implement. In doing so, BSR will transform into a zero-waste service provider. In addition to guaranteeing waste disposal, it will also offer new sustainable services in line with the needs of our customers.
NochMall is not only a unique department store. It also aims to raise awareness among the people of Berliner about the circular economy and waste prevention. What is the focus?
NochMall aims to raise awareness about sustainable practices. Our overall concept is oriented on this. On the one hand, NochMall is a sustainable department store with a high quality of stay, an attractive interior design, clear product presentation and clean goods with only minor signs of wear. On the other hand, it also serves as a venue for zero-waste events. In this context, we provide information about sustainable consumption and hold fun workshops to show which products can be repaired or upcycled: books, textiles, electrical appliances, furniture, advertising banners, shuttlecocks and much more. We want our offer to appeal to all social groups and to encourage Berliners to enjoy waste prevention and reuse.
Were there and are there any particular challenges involved in establishing and operating a used goods department store?
Yes, there are, because we are committed to creating new jobs that pay standard wages in the primary labour market. In a low-margin business with high personnel costs compared to other competitors, this means constantly developing innovative solutions to increase sales revenue and reduce process costs.
Waste prevention can and should be fun. What do you offer to attract visitors to NochMall?
We offer more than 150 events every year. The highlights include our monthly auctions, repair cafés and various upcycling workshops. Every year in November, we also host the Zero Waste Future Festival. Sustainability pioneers take part and more than 3,500 guests attend the event.
How has NochMall been received so far?
The response to NochMall's offers has been very positive. In 2024, we had more than 400,000 visitors. The trend is rising. Our more than 150 events on the topic of zero waste were also very well attended. We have numerous regular customers from the neighbourhood. Our typical customer comes from Reinickendorf, is female and over 40 years old. On Saturdays in particular, we have younger visitors from all over Berlin.
Where do the used goods in NochMall come from? Are the BSR recycling centres the suppliers?
We receive the used goods from donations, largely from private households. These donations are made at selected BSR recycling centres, for example.
If I want to get rid of old furniture or electrical appliances that still work and are too good to throw away, for example, how do my goods get to you?
Used goods in good condition can be dropped off at four BSR recycling centres or directly at NochMall in Reinickendorf. NochMall also offers a collection service.
Will there be more branches of the used-goods store in other districts in the future?
Firstly, our goal is to be in the black by 2027. This is the prerequisite for opening further NochMall branches in Berlin.
Please complete the following sentence: "Berlin is smart because ..."
... there are many bright minds here who are promoting sustainable issues such as zero waste and reuse with the help of digitalisation and AI.
