Page 91 - Monaco Economy 128

The Government and SMA are Stepping up Their Efforts to

Promote the Recycling of Hazardous Waste

by Kévin Racle

European Battery Recycling Week, a major event on the environmental calendar, took place from 4 to 10
September. In the midst of this awareness-raising week, the Monégasque Sanitation Company (SMA) renewed
its commitment and redoubled its efforts to ensure effective recycling of very hazardous waste, at the
instigation of the Monaco Government.

For many years now, the SMA has been stepping advanced recycling techniques and the For every tonne of batteries recycled, no less
up its efforts to prevent waste, teaching people unfailing motivation of institutions and the than 420 kg of zinc and zinc compounds are
to adopt good habits in recycling waste. While SMA’s teams. There are many benefits to these recovered, as well as 260 kg of iron- and nickel-
awareness is growing, there are still a number processes: “Not only is waste avoided, but based alloys and 100 kg of various metals such
of areas for improvement. The European Battery rare metals such as cobalt, zinc and lead, as as cobalt and lead.
Recycling Week was an opportunity to reaffirm well as iron, nickel and steel alloys - to name As with all its environmental initiatives, the SMA
the importance of recycling in our consumer but a few - are recovered”. The importance relies on the understanding, help and investment
society. “Every year, we organise various events of these recycling processes is not limited of everyone. “Recycling is not just an act to
to raise awareness among users. We’re not to the recovery of materials. “By recycling, help the environment, it’s a real commitment
content with simple information campaigns”, we considerably reduce polluting emissions, to society at all times. Every effort, however
explains Marie Berard, Deputy Director of the thereby contributing to a healthier environment. small, has a considerable impact. It’s never in
Waste and Environment Department. “This year, The materials recovered during the recycling vain”, emphasises Marie Berard.
the event took a special twist when the SMA’s process are reused in the manufacture of Raising awareness is the key to this approach.
waste prevention and recycling officers gave new objects, such as zinc gutters, car sheet “Every action counts and is a step towards a
out battery boxes. They are also available from metal, ship hulls or new batteries (nickel) greener future,” Ms Berard reminds us. This
the SMEG shop, located at 11 allée Guillaume or even compounds for photovoltaic panels ambition is being made possible through
Apollinaire”. These battery boxes, which have a (cadmium), thereby promoting the principle the unfailing support of the Monegasque
QR code that links users directly to a guide for of the circular economy and avoiding the Government. The numerous collection points
waste disposal and a list of collection points extraction of raw materials.” installed by the Department of Urban Planning
in the Principality, are not inconsequential. is clear proof of this.
Quite the opposite, in fact. “Although enormous
progress has been made in terms of sorting and
recycling, the task is far from complete,” admits
Marie Berard. “Certain types of waste, such as
batteries, light bulbs, paint cans and detergents
are often not incorporated into conventional
recycling processes. If not correctly disposed
of, they have devastating consequences for the
environment, because these items are frequently
incinerated or, even worse, thrown into nature”.
The SMA has a special household waste
reception centre, open to the public, located on
rue du Gabian in Monaco. “Residents can drop
off their waste at this centre in the knowledge
that it is treated and recycled appropriately.
The success of this initiative is undeniable.
Last year, for example, the centre collected no
fewer than 6,700 kg of batteries, which were then
sorted and sent to specialist centres for specific
treatment or recycling,” explains Marie Berard.

It’s important to give waste a second life!
Giving new life to waste is not a mere dream.
It’s a tangible reality, made possible by © SMA

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