The “I recycle my shells” operation launched by the Toulouse start-up, Providentiel Coquillages, ends on January 5. But the experiment is already a success. Nearly a ton of shells were collected from fishmongers for recycling. The Toulouse-based company hopes to extend the trial.

The trash can installed in front of the seafood restaurant, Chez Jeannot, in Toulouse is filled to the brim with empty oyster shells and scallops. Since December 24, three other identical bins, also linked, have been installed in three Toulouse fishmongers. All participate in the operation “I recycle my shells” organized by the company Providential shells. “We have already collected almost a ton of these shells” rejoices the founder of the company, Daniel Moukoko.

By forging a partnership with these businesses, the Toulouse-based company wanted to encourage consumers not to throw away their leftover seafood. “The oyster is not just a shell, but also an asset because it can be recycled.” And in France, only 5% of the 150,000 tonnes of shells per year are.

Providentiel Coquillages in one makes its specialty: give a second life to oyster shells for mulching gardens, water treatment, for cosmetics, as fertilizer or as food for chickens and chickens.

It was precisely when he saw a member of his family feeding chickens with crushed oyster shells that Daniel Moukoko a EU the idea of ​​starting a business in 2017. “It is a bio-based product and very biodegradable useful in particular for replacing petroleum products.“

By deciding to launch his operation at the height of consumption of this product, the entrepreneur bet that consumers would make the effort to bring back their waste.

“Developer this type of practice is also a way of saving money in communities. Between the cost of transport and the cost of landfill, which amounts to 100-120 euros per tonne, everyone wins.“

Since its launch, Providentiel Coquillages has struggled to generate real turnover, but this experiment could open up new partnerships, particularly with communities. With a goal: generalize the collection of shells ofOysters all year round and not just during the holidays.