ADEME recently organized a preparatory seminar for European Waste Reduction Week in Saint-Joseph. About 50 people attended, including representatives from government agencies, local authorities, nonprofit organizations, and schools. The morning session was opened by the director of ADEME, a representative from DEAL, and the president of the Martinique Nature Park.
Prevention at the Heart of the SERD
“The best waste is the waste we don’t produce!” That is the slogan of this event, which focuses on prevention to reduce waste. This is an essential approach to teaching as many people as possible how to conserve finite raw materials, limit environmental impacts, and reduce the cost of waste for everyone.
SERD events may be aimed at the general public or at specific audiences, such as elected officials, employees, students, and schoolchildren…
Projects must focus on one of the following five themes:
1. Waste prevention (eco-design, excessive packaging,
disposable products…)
2. Prevention of Hazardous Waste
3. Preventing Food Waste
4. Promoting Composting
5. Reuse/Repair/Recycle
In 2017, 12,200 events took place in 27 European Union countries, including 5,125 events that were certified in France. In Martinique, 38 events were organized. Events are certified based on four criteria.
Certification allows organizations to be listed in the official program and to take advantage of the communication tools provided by ADEME, such as posters, badges, and exhibits…
Sharing Best Practices
The program included two roundtable discussions to present ideas for action and best practices in communication. The Association Entreprises et Environnement presented the tools and methods used for communication in the “Opération Pays Propre” initiative, which has been running for many years.
Jefferson Da Silva Oliveria, head of the CCPYM association, presented the various initiatives carried out during previous SERD events, such as “Kaz Zéro Gaspi,” which involved about ten associations.
Laya François-Saint-Cyr, project manager at E-Compagnie, presented examples of internal activities, such as the contest they organized to gather ideas for reducing everyday waste, with a prize to be won.
Many activity ideas are also available on the SERD website.
This gathering gave everyone the opportunity to meet and exchange ideas to ensure the success of the next SERD. The event will take place from November 17 to 25, 2018, across the island. This is a very important event, since in Martinique, each resident produces an average of 450 kg of waste per year.
Kaylan Fagour
