Page 93 - Monaco Economy 129

SMA: Under the high patronage of H.S.H. Prince Albert II

Monacollecte is back for a third edition

by Kévin Racle

On 16 and 17 February, Monacollecte returns for a new edition, for the third time. This time, the
event will host participants and visitors on the quai Antoine 1er with, on the programme, donations
to associations, waste collection and fun learning activities.

The quai Antoine 1er in Monaco will be the
scene of the third edition of Monacollecte,
set for 16 and 17 February. This annual event
aims to encourage the people of Monaco to
give a second life to unwanted objects in good
condition. “Everyone will be able to participate
and bring clothes, shoes, toys, small household
appliances and much more, as long as they
are in good condition, to give to the charities
present on site,” explains Marie Berard, Deputy
Director of the Environmental Cleanliness
Department of the SMA, Monaco’s sanitation
company - but that is not all. Over and above
material donations, Monacollecte also offers
a mini-recycling centre for special waste such © SMA
as batteries, light bulbs, X-rays, medicines
and other specific household products. This The SMA and the Urban Planning Department, activities. To actively involve young people
initiative was imagined and designed to help in partnership with Monaco Town Hall, have but also those not so young, Monacollecte
consumers properly dispose of items that thought of everything to make the event has planned a series of educational and fun
are not suitable for traditional rubbish bins. more practical and engaging. During the two workshops, offering a variety of interactive
“There is a whole process afterwards. The days, trolleys will be available to facilitate the and educational activities. “We have reserved
special waste portion is sorted and stored transport of donations and waste, which will several slots on Friday for middle school
at the SMA before being sent to specialised take place under a large tent measuring 25 by students in collaboration with the Department
processing centres. This approach ensures 20 metres, transformed into a marquee for the of Education, Youth and Sport. There will be
appropriate and ecological treatment of this occasion. “Amongst the beneficiaries of the workshops with virtual reality, escape games,
waste. Almost everything can have a second donations, we find renowned associations such tactile sorting tables, a waste fresco and even
life. You just need to take the right steps. We as the Red Cross, Semeur d’Espoir, Friends of manual activities such as customisation,”
are here to help people.” Lebanon, Mission Enfance and the Fondation explains Marie Berard. “For high school
Nice. These organisations have been loyal to students, we are organising an interactive
the event since its beginnings and guarantee conference, focusing on reducing packaging,
judicious use of donations to help those in which will take place at the Auditorium
need. I am sure they will make good use of Rainier III.”
them,” adds Stéphane Pasquetti, Head of Monacollecte is not limited to being a
the Prevention and Recycling Department at simple collection event. It is a collective
the SMA. educational and environmental initiative,
aimed at promoting behavioural change within
Fun and educational workshops the community. “Everyone’s commitment
Monacollecte, however, for this third edition, is is essential to ensure the success and
not content to be just a collection and recycling sustainability of this initiative. Dedicated
event; it is also positioned as an educational partners and an engaged public are the pillars
and interactive moment, particularly for the of this approach, aiming to create a lasting
younger generations. After the resounding impact on Monaco and its inhabitants.”
success of the previous edition, which saw
the collection of 9.5 tonnes of donations and The public is expected in large numbers on
6.5 tonnes of special waste, this new edition 16 and 17 February to make this third edition
© SMA promises even more engaging and immersive of Monacollecte a great collective success.

93