Innovating to prepare for the future

In the last quarter of 2020, Eco-mobilier proposed to two local authority associations to test sorting instructions at source, at drop-off centers, with a view to the new EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) channels instituted by the AGEC (Anti-Waste for a Circular Economy) law. Etienne Vitré, Director of Cyclad (Charente-Maritime) and Éric Buffo, Development Director of SMICVAL (Gironde), take a look at how the experiment was set up and the benefits of sorting at source.

Could you remind us of the details of the experiment?

Éric Buffo: We identified two drop-off centers in the SMICVAL network where we could organize the collection of flows from the furniture sector and the new sectors created by the AGEC law, namely DIY-garden, toys and construction. We worked with Eco-mobilier to define the collection and sorting scheme and to adjust the signage at the drop-off centers.

Etienne Vitré: In the same way, we have chosen two drop-off centers to organize the flows to be collected and to develop sorting instructions. Pros are admitted to the depots, which gives a complementary dimension to SMICVAL's experiment.

Why were your two unions interested in Eco-mobilier's experimental proposal?

Etienne Vitré: Historically, we've liked experimentation because we're close to the decision-makers on what's going to be put in place. By taking part in such a comprehensive experiment, in which several scenarios were tested, and in which everyone was involved, from the waste collection center staff to the operators of the outlets, we were able to reflect on this change. This exchange between local authorities and eco-organizations upstream of the implementation of the sector must continue over time, so that we can discuss what's going well and what's not.

Éric Buffo: We appreciated Eco-mobilier's approach of involving local authorities in the process, seeing them as players whose experience can be useful in a co-construction phase, which is not always the case. It's important to emphasize this state of mind, which prevailed during this experiment, with its openness to listen to the constraints of all parties. For us, the challenge is to put in place a balanced system that is practical for the user, the most efficient for our partners, local authorities and eco-organizations, and acceptable and assimilable by our waste reception staff.

What are the first lessons you've learned from this experiment?

Éric Buffo: We're coming to the realization that, as it stands, the perimeter of the waste collection centers no longer allows for the addition of flows to be sorted! We're going to have to make some trade-offs, and work on existing facilities to optimize collection. Another way of transforming our business is to promote re-use. This is what local residents expect: they want local reuse that's easy to implement... What also needs to be taken into account is that the public drop-off center alone won't be able to absorb the quantity of new flows that will be arriving. From my point of view, distributors need to do their fair share and offer in-store take-back solutions. Waste collection centers and local authorities must not be seen as the easy solution.

Etienne Vitré : I completely agree with Éric, especially when it comes to reuse. Our role is also to support societal change. For example, we need to change the image and certainly the term "waste collection center", to make it clearer that these are now places where people come to sort, donate and recycle. For example, we're experimenting with the Cyclabox where you can find objects in working order, and also a free materials library for DIY enthusiasts.

What's next for you?

Etienne Vitré: A large number of channels have appeared on the scene, and their deployment has profoundly altered the organization of waste channels. The number of people involved at waste collection centers, the role of staff, the perception of residents... everything has changed, and many questions remain: How can we promote reuse and free zones? Should "material libraries" be developed? How should the network be structured? What services and at what cost for residents and professionals? We must now move forward to finalize the organization of collection and reuse or material or energy recovery of all these flows, in partnership with eco-organizations.

Eric Buffo: In the next three years, there will be as many new EPR (extended producer responsibility) channels as in the last ten. One of the things we're working on is to avoid sticking to the same national system for everyone, when the situation isn't the same for everyone, even in a structure like ours or elsewhere. That's what we're thinking about in our own Smicval market network. We also remain open and attentive to the way in which the construction industry will organize itself.

In partnership with distributors and associations, Eco-mobilier has been testing new collection solutions and consumer communications to help individuals tidy up, sort, donate and recycle. A look back at this experiment, which began in October 2020, with Louis Paul Laclaire, Operations Director, Amélie Montoriol van Heesewijk, Collection Innovation Hub Manager and Aurélie Bourgeois, Communications Hub Manager.

Eco-mobilier is experimenting with new local collection solutions in five départements: Charente-Maritime, Gironde, Ille-et-Vilaine, Meurthe-et-Moselle and Nord. How ambitious is the project, and how have you implemented it?

Louis-Paul Laclaire: Our aim is to facilitate sorting at source for individuals wishing to dispose of their used furniture. This sorting, which must remain simple and practical for individuals, must also enable us to achieve ZERO waste for furniture, at the best possible cost. For this experiment, launched in October, we first referenced associations to open local collection points, initially dedicated to the recovery of bedding. At the same time, we selected logisticians through a call for tenders to collect mattresses from these points and massify them, transporting them directly to the bedding recycling centers, without passing through the sorting center. In each of these territories, we have set up indicators with the various partners to assess the relevance and performance of this new form of collection. By mid-2021, we'll be able to draw conclusions from this experiment to prepare for the roll-out of take-back services.

As part of this experiment, you're testing the distribution of a bag to take back used mattresses. What do you expect from this bag?

Amélie Montoriol van Heesewijk: The principle is that stores selling mattresses give their customers a "mattress bag" in which to pack the used mattress they wish to dispose of. Once packaged, the mattress can either be handed over to the delivery man who brings the new mattress, or dropped off at one of the referenced local collection points. Individuals can also pick up a bag at one of the local collection points, for example, when they have bought their mattress on the Internet. What we're testing is both the logistical organization of this new service and its acceptance by the various partners and customers. Once collected in bags, the mattresses are taken to recycling centers, where we also assess their recyclability, compared with that of mattresses that are still collected at waste collection centers, without bags.

These new collection solutions are being tested under the "Maison du tri" label. Can you tell us more?

Aurélie Bourgeois: In the five pilot départements, we tested the Maison du Tri label on mattress bags and POS advertising in stores and local collection points. We also organized "Maison du tri" events to meet consumers in store parking lots. Using very simple visuals and short, hard-hitting messages, the aim is to provide consumers with easy-to-understand, easy-to-remember information to help them make the right sorting gesture when they want to dispose of a used product. We are also accompanying these collection operations with communication on social networks and on a new "Maison du tri" website . This experiment is also enabling us to carry out studies to assess the effects of this more direct and closer communication, in terms of understanding and help with implementation.