In October the 10th MoLo Hubs partner meeting took place in Borås, one of the project’s 5 pilot areas and Sweden’s largest e-trade city. The city is growing dynamically and putting pressure on new districts, busy city centres and increasing commercial traffic. This requires efficient and sustainable solutions for both distribution and return traffic.
In September, Borås opened its first MoLo Hubs pilot Returpunkten, a mobility hub where parcel services, waste management, reuse, and community activities converge. More than a logistics facility, Returpunkten functions also as a social hub, connecting residents, encouraging reuse, and fostering conversations about local needs and sustainable living. It stands as a prime example of how urban logistics can serve both people and sustainability.
The hub offers following services:
- Drop off small items
- Find bargains among items that deserve a second chance via “Returchansen”
- Sort waste easily
- Pick up and drop off parcels conveniently
- Get information about sustainable circularity
And as a special highlight, a digital table featuring a recycling game was set up to give visitors a playful and engaging way to understand how products can be recycled correctly. This creative approach shows how sustainability education can be made accessible and enjoyable for the next generation, strengthening the social impact of the MoLo Hub.
Returpunkten is also linked to upcoming requirements for property-based collection, where there is often a lack of space in existing buildings. By coordinating reuse, waste collection and logistics, Borås aims to meet these requirements in an efficient manner.
‘One of our biggest challenges has been to bring together all the relevant players and create a shared vision. Through a thorough preliminary study and early dialogue, we have built a strong partnership with commitment from all parties,’ says Jonas Widerström, business developer at Borås City Council.
Before visiting Returpunkten, the partners enjoyed a guided tour of Instant Systems Sweden AB, hosted by Jonas Ellerstrand. The company provides digital solutions that make retail, industrial, and waste management operations smarter and more efficient. Their technologies — from real-time monitoring of bin fill levels to optimized collection routes — demonstrate how data and sustainability can work hand in hand to reduce waste and improve urban services.
Hosted by Borås Stad at the Textile Fashion Center, the meeting brought together all MoLo Hubs partners to exchange experiences and advance our shared goals for urban logistics and sustainable mobility.
Over the course of the event, we:
- Reviewed the progress of our pilot projects
- Visited the Borås Returpunkten MoLo Hub
- Collaborated in interactive workshops focused on SUMP objectives, transfer strategies, and adoption frameworks to ensure lasting impact beyond the project’s lifetime
- Welcomed Anders Waage Nilsen from the City of Bergen as a new partner — a valuable addition to our growing MoLo Hubs community
Thomas Brauner | LIHH and Anders Waage Nilsen | City of Bergen
City of Bergen — Strengthening Collaboration Across Borders
At the beginning of October, the Interreg Monitoring Committee approved 12 projects to receive additional Norwegian funding, enabling new and stronger Norwegian involvement. We are delighted that MoLo Hubs was among the selected projects. With this support, the City of Bergen has now been officially added to the project in Borås.
By adding expertise and broadening participation, this expanded cooperation ensures that the solutions developed within the projects can reach further across the North Sea region, fostering greater innovation, knowledge exchange, and long-term sustainability impact.
Source & Pictures © LIHH