Published on: 2026-09-01
Source: Moscow Government – Правительства Москвы –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Over two years of the project’s operation “Eco-points of Moscow” managed to collect thousands of tons of clothing, shoes, books, and equipment. Old items are given a second life by being sent for recycling. Rubber, for example, is turned into crumb rubber for covering children’s and sports playgrounds, while unwanted plastic becomes pellets used in the production of household goods. Items in good condition find new owners. Children’s books replenish the collections of rural libraries, and quality clothing is passed on to people who find themselves in a difficult life situation.
There is also a special category of items that Muscovites sometimes bring to eco-points. These are things with an amazing history. For example, books with autographs of famous people, touching letters, collections of old records, and even good luck charms. They are not recycled but carefully preserved to then be transferred to museum collections or exhibited in eco-points.
The secret ingredient and a letter to the future owner
At the points receiving scrap metal sometimes leave behind real rarities. During sorting, volunteers found Soviet tape recorders, vinyl players, cassette players, and even the first models of headphones. Each find was a small discovery, as such equipment is rarely encountered today. Unfortunately, they were broken and could not be restored. However, the project helped give these items a new life through recycling.
People donate clothes to the containers of the social project “Grateful Closet” (a partner of “Moscow Ecopoints”). But sometimes, during sorting, they find charming little things. For example, in the pocket of one winter coat, they found a small bay leaf tied with a string. There is a superstition to take such a talisman with you for luck. And once, in the pocket of jeans, they found a sealed envelope addressed to the future owner. Inside was a humorous message: “Greetings from 2012! If you are reading this, it means that the fashion for these jeans has returned. Wear them with pride; they have seen better days (and my worst dances).”
Notes like these are found quite often. People sincerely welcome the future owners of the items and the volunteers, and also share their feelings. They don’t just bring some things, but show genuine care for those who will receive them later.
Tail hat and retro irons
Numerous collection points of the charity foundation “Second Wind” — the main partner of “EcoPoints of Moscow” — receive clothing and footwear. Over the years, the foundation’s team has repeatedly found unusual items. At one sorting point, for example, the sorters discovered a mailbox and a wedding dress. Another surprising find was an old fur hat with a fluffy tail. Such an item had not been seen for many years.
Volunteers sometimes also come across banknotes from the USSR era. People forget 5, 10, and 25 ruble bills in their clothes and books. In addition, one can unexpectedly find a shower head or a vintage iron in the containers. And once, sorters found a touching letter among the items from Riga. Someone wrote it in July 1955 to a person dear to them. This message evokes warm feelings in everyone who reads it.
Book treasures and star autographs
An impressive collection of rarities was gathered by the book exchange service Re:Books. It is responsible for acceptance of books and magazines in the “Moscow Eco-Spots.” Most often, old postcards and Soviet banknotes forgotten between the pages are found in them. But genuine book treasures are also encountered. Today, they adorn the project’s archive.
Among the most valuable items are biographical books autographed by stars. The book exchange service staff were especially amazed by editions signed by the legendary ballerina Maya Plisetskaya and members of the iconic band Pink Floyd.
Another rarity is the journals of the scientific association of Orientalists, “New East.” They were published in the 1920s. These are hardcover editions, which today can only be found in libraries and used bookstores. In addition, the book exchange service received a huge collection of black-and-white postcards with portraits of Soviet actresses — a genuine photo archive that preserves the history of domestic cinema.
Another striking find is the “Marriage Newspaper” from 1917. In this unique publication, short personal ads were posted to find a life partner. For example, one director hoped to meet a “wife-friend,” a young doctor was looking for a bride, and two girlfriends wanted to meet intellectual people. “Love does not require wealth, and I am looking for a young lady who may be poor but is sweet and beautiful,” one seriously minded military man addressed an unknown girl.
One of the most touching things discovered during the sorting was a postcard from post-war Leningrad. It is hand-painted.
Volunteers often receive letters of gratitude from new readers. Their project team forwards them to the general work chat. The letters motivate them to continue their work.
Project “Eco-points of Moscow” started operating at the end of 2024. It helps instill a culture of mindful consumption and rational use of things. In this way, the city reduces waste and develops a circular economy in accordance with the goals of the national project “Environmental well-being”. More details about national projects and Moscow’s contribution can be found at special page.
A large-scale project appeared on the mos.ru portal special project, dedicated to the development of key sectors of Moscow. Among them are transport, industry, healthcare, education, sports, and construction. The special project helps to learn how the capital has changed in recent years, what initiatives are currently being implemented to make the lives of citizens even more comfortable, and what awaits Moscow and its residents in the near future.
On the project page “Ecology” you can learn about how the capital is renewing its green spaces and expanding environmental education, as well as preparing to make eco-solutions a part of everyday life.
Get the main news quickly in the official Moscow city channels on messengers “Max” and “Telegram”.
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