Environment & Energy

Old Crank

(6,256 posts) Fri Sep 26, 2025, 06:24 AM Yesterday

Germany and an environmental problem

I live in Munich. In Germany and many European countries when you move into a rented flat, apartment you get to install your own kitchen. This way the landlord doesn't have to worry about damages to cabinets or appliance failures.
However, we are moving, now into a flat we bought, but will only be able to use 50% of the cabinets we bought 4 years ago. The counter top goes as it is now too short and the sink and cooking surface is reversed. Landfill. The sink cabinet goes because the new one needs a corner unit because of plumbing issues.
I have to wonder how much yearly hits the landfill as people move who are renters. Sounds like a large negative environmental impact.

2 replies

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Germany and an environmental problem (Original Post) Old Crank Yesterday OP

Odd indeed - that would be illegal in many US states FBaggins Yesterday #1

Pretty standard in Germany Old Crank Yesterday #2

FBaggins

(28,447 posts)

1. Odd indeed - that would be illegal in many US states

Reply to Old Crank (Original post)

Fri Sep 26, 2025, 06:35 AM

Yesterday

The unit wouldn’t qualify as “habitable” - though some states may not require all of the appliances.

No ablöse option in your case?

Old Crank

(6,256 posts)

2. Pretty standard in Germany

Reply to FBaggins (Reply #1)

Fri Sep 26, 2025, 02:07 PM

Yesterday

And a lot of Europe.
Our first apartment here we had to install the kitchen and all ceiling lights except bathroom. The flat was sold to a couple who were moving in. They bought our kitchen. All we took was the fridge.
The unit we just left we had to install a new kitchen. It was a different size so even if we took ours we would have needed a new counter top. This place we bought and are moving some of the kitchen because the rental company doesn't want any of our stuff. The next tenant will start over.
This time I'm getting a wider, 90 cm, induction cooktop and a 90 cm wide oven. I cook the occasional goose.

This will be, hopefully the last move since we are buying and I'm in my 70s. My thoughts are about the amount of waste that happens with renters moving. IKEA will take some used bits back, but the 12 foot long countertop has to go somewhere. Probably our recycling center.

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