REPORTING. What happens to our waste in Nord – Pas-de-Calais?
Through Writing Lille
Published on
Take a piece of paper and throw it in the trash. Eat a can of corn and place it in the yellow bin. Drink wine and take the bottle to the collection container. So many everyday gestures that seem harmless.
And yet, on the whole of the territory that the Joint Syndicate for Waste Disposal and Recovery (Symevad) based in Evin-Malmaison (Pas de Calais) chapote, this represents 180 tonnes of waste per day. We are interested in what happens to our waste. What is their second life?
“The best waste is the one that is not produced”
“What to do with our waste? All communities are developing the same question. The Symevad is 325,000 inhabitants spread over 98 municipalities in the agglomerations of Douaisis (North), Hénin-Carvin and Osartis-Marquion. In 2014, 14 million euros were invested in the Evin-Malmaison packaging sorting center. 22,000 tonnes of packaging are handled there each year.
Transformed into one tonne bales, this waste constitutes a real source of raw materials for new objects. But right now, not everything that gets received is recycled. “20% of what we receive is refused,” explains Carole Pamart, union leader. A figure that Symevad wishes to reduce thanks to an “extension of sorting instructions from 2023”. This will allow us to put more waste in it, and therefore recycle more.
Waste is not only ecological, it is also social. Sorting packaging requires labor. After passing through a sieve, the human eye makes the final selection. “Here, we have 20 people in integration, for two-year contracts”, she presents. “It’s a real springboard for employment. We are helping people get back into the market. “
This year, Symevad is relaunching its “Consom’acte” operation with the sole objective of reducing the amount of household waste. “The best waste is that which is not produced,” continues Carole Pamart. To do this, a small box that the ambassadors circulate throughout the territory. To some, it would feel like a throwback to the old days. For others, it’s just getting back to basics. Solid soap instead of shower gel, fabric charlotte to preserve food rather than cling film or washable baby diaper.
![Symevad has 325,000 inhabitants spread over 98 municipalities in the agglomerations of Douaisis (North), Hénin-Carvin and Osartis-Marquion.](https://static.actu.fr/uploads/2021/10/gestion-dechets-symevad-2.jpg)
If the program is mainly aimed at individuals, certain collective structures take up the subject, like the nurseries in the territory. “Of the six structures that have switched to 100% washable, only one has returned to disposable sofas. But concerning it, it was above all a question of logistics, ”assures Zoé Poirier, the communications manager. Among them, we can cite the Tchikitas and the Moutchatchos in the town of Hénin-Beaumont.
Soon an experiment of the “Yes pub”?
As part of the new “Climate and Resilience” law, and in order to reduce the waste of advertising, the Ministry of Ecological Transition is launching a new three-year experiment with 15 volunteer communities. At Symevad, paper represents 35 tonnes of waste which goes to recycling per day.
Already in 2004, the “Stop Pub” stickers were created to limit advertising waste. According to the organization, the device would have reduced the waste of paper by 200,000 tonnes. From now on, it is the “Yes pub” which makes its appearance. A total paradigm shift: instead of receiving advertising unless otherwise indicated, no one will receive it unless the “Yes advertising” label is affixed to the mailbox.
“We have until November 30 to submit an application, but for the moment, we haven’t done so yet,” explains Zoé Poirier. “We still wonder: what consequences for small traders who often use this type of communication? “
Benjamin grischko
Has this article been useful to you? Note that you can follow Actu Pas-de-Calais in the Mon Actu space. In one click, after registration, you will find all the news of your favorite cities and brands.