"QuartiersKiste": Smart Leasing in the York and Oxford Neighborhoods
Münster’s waste management company, Abfallwirtschaftsbetriebe Münster (awm), is launching a new sharing scheme in the York and Oxford districts. Called QuartiersKisten, the app-based lending cabinets will let residents borrow everyday items for free during a trial phase starting in January 2026. The project is part of the city’s Smart City strategy and a wider push to create zero-waste neighbourhoods.
The lending cabinets will offer tools and equipment like upholstery cleaners, power drills, and projectors. Residents helped shape the system, ensuring it meets local needs. Anyone interested can sign up now at awm.unser-website/abfallfreiequartiere to take part in the trial.
The software and app behind the scheme were developed through a partnership between awm, Reboot Mobility GmbH, and PAUL WOLFF GmbH. By spring 2026, the technology will become open-source, allowing other cities to adopt similar systems. Funding for the *Zero-Waste Districts* project comes from the Federal Ministry for Housing, Urban Development, and Building. The Institut für Abfall, Abwasser und Infrastruktur-Management GmbH in Ahlen is overseeing its scientific evaluation. Local organisations—including Wohn+Stadtbau GmbH, Konvoy GmbH, Kurbelbox e.V., and Smart City Münster—are also supporting the rollout. Residents can share their thoughts and suggestions about the project via Münster’s civic participation platform. Feedback will help refine the system before and during the trial period.
The QuartiersKisten scheme aims to reduce waste by encouraging shared use of household items. With the trial set to begin in early 2026, the project will test whether community lending can become a permanent feature in Münster’s neighbourhoods. The results will also inform similar initiatives in other cities.
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