A New Life for Old Things: A Digital Service Is Transforming Moscow’s Ecology
Modern megacities are not only about rhythm and opportunity—they also face ongoing challenges in maintaining cleanliness and environmental balance. For many years, residents of large cities have struggled with a simple question: what to do with household clutter?
A Service for Comfort and Cleanliness
Old furniture, obsolete appliances, and piles of worn-out clothes have long cluttered corners, balconies, and storage rooms—or worse, ended up at illegal dumps and in nearby forests. Four years ago, Moscow offered a digital solution to this problem through the "Unwanted Items Pickup" service on the official city portal mos.ru.
The outcome exceeded all expectations: nearly 130,000 requests were submitted, resulting in the collection and recycling of over 3,100 tons of materials.
With just a few clicks, residents can schedule a pickup, and a dedicated team arrives at the appointed time to collect the items. This service represents an ecological, communal, and social innovation in one. It has become a cornerstone of Moscow’s digital transformation, showing how technology can seamlessly integrate into everyday urban management to simplify life.
By doing so, the city has developed an effective tool against illegal landfills, which pose serious environmental threats.
From Paper Waste to Automobiles
The service continues to evolve in line with residents’ needs. Since December 2024, it has accepted clothing, shoes, books, and other printed materials suitable for reuse. The list also includes plumbing fixtures, sports equipment, and even vehicles.
Future plans include developing a mobile app to simplify requests and tracking, as well as implementing a "smart" scheduling system that optimizes routes, minimizes idle time, and reduces carbon emissions.
The "Unwanted Items Pickup" initiative complements other efforts promoting sustainable urban living. The nationwide movement "Separate Collection" has for over 13 years encouraged responsible waste management. The pilot project "EcoMobile" demonstrated the demand for mobile drop-off points for hazardous waste such as batteries and mercury thermometers.
Meanwhile, the "My Home" digital ecosystem on mos.ru paved the way for residents to manage household issues online. Another project, "Kind Things", merges environmental and social goals by redistributing usable items to those in need. Proceeds from the resale of donated goods support rehabilitation programs for children with disabilities.
Smart Solutions for a Cleaner Future
Since 2011, the number of online services on mos.ru has reached 450. In 2024 alone, Muscovites used them over 852 million times—an 11% increase from 2023.
The first four years of the "Unwanted Items Pickup|" service clearly demonstrate a strong public demand for organized waste management. With 130,000 requests already processed, the initiative has proven the effectiveness of Moscow’s digital and ecological strategy. It’s not just a convenient feature—it’s a vital step toward making Moscow not only a smart city, but a truly clean one.
