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SMA: Low-Carbon Strategy in the Principality - Plastic Film Collection being Tested

with Volunteer Professionals
by Kévin Racle
As part of its low-carbon strategy, the Principality of Monaco is stepping up initiatives to reduce
its ecological footprint. Last year the Société Monégasque d'Assainissement (SMA), in conjunction
with the Department of Urban Development, set up a waste collection scheme specifically for plastic
film generated by businesses.

Promoting a Temporary Circular Economy Marijana Pezelj, Waste Prevention and Recycling emissions.”
Recycling plastic sheeting instead of processing Officer at the SMA, adds: “We will continue to Florian Molle, Sustainable Development
it at the Fontvieille waste-to-energy plant avoids expand this recycling initiative by going to the Engineer at the CHPG, who recently introduced
the CO 2 emissions that come from burning businesses directly. It's a painstaking task, but the sorting of these plastics, explains: “With our
these materials and promotes an effective the results are encouraging. This motivates us to daily deliveries and the packaging generated
circular economy. A test phase has begun in continue our efforts. There's still a lot of plastic by the laundry activity, we had a lot of plastic
the Fontvieille district, where three pioneering film to be recovered in the waste. bags and film. This waste ended up in the grey
companies - SIAMP, Comptoir Pharmaceutique bin and then in the waste-to-energy plant, with
Méditerranéen (CPM) and Monaco Logistique An Initiative that Benefits the Environment all the CO 2 emissions that the combustion of
– are taking part in this collection of plastic and Businesses plastics generates. This new recycling service
sheeting. This waste, mainly made up of plastic As well as reducing CO 2 emissions, which is the offered by SMA is working well, and our staff are
sheets used for packaging and plastic bags, is main focus of the project, this initiative enables now actively involved. We are very satisfied with
sent to sorting centres before being transferred
to recycling plants. The materials recovered in
this way are transformed into granules that are
used to manufacture new plastic products, such
as sheeting or equipment for the construction
industry.
Laetitia Régent, a pharmacist at Comptoir
Pharmaceutique Méditerranéen, explains: “We
produce a lot of plastic film in our warehousing
logistics. It's essential to recycle these materials.
It is fully in line with our commitment to
the environment and our corporate social
responsibility (CSR) approach.

Encouraging Results and a Long-Term
Ambition
In just a year, more than 20 companies have
joined the initiative and the SMA has collected
more than 15 tons of transparent plastic film.
This collection has averted the emission of
around 40 tons of CO 2, the equivalent of the
emissions produced by 44 flights from Paris © SMA
to New York.
Céline Varenio, Circular Economy Project companies to comply with environmental this service and with the SMA, which intervenes
Manager for the SMA, explains: “Collecting requirements and to showcase their actions quickly on a regular basis and provides us with
plastic film is a simple and effective way for in their CSR reports. Every quarter the useful reports on the environmental footprint.
businesses to reduce their environmental SMA provides companies with figures on
footprint. It's also a gesture to support the the amount of plastic waste that has been The collection of plastic film in Monaco is a
energy transition that every company ought recycled and the CO 2 emissions that have been promising project that combines environmental
to consider” avoided, reinforcing their commitment to the responsibility and the circular economy. It
Although the project is still in its infancy, it is environment. transforms waste into a valuable resource,
already attracting a great deal of interest from As Laetitia Régent explains: “Receiving precise while actively contributing to the fight against
businesses in the Principality. The expansion of data on the impact of our participation motivates climate change. SMA is a guarantor of this
the collection to large plastic film producers in us to continue. It's rewarding to know that our transition through its efforts, and it intends to be
other locations is also being studied. efforts contribute directly to reducing CO 2 successful in this new environmental challenge.

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