The sixth International Learning Event (ILE) of the CAPonLITTER Project took place on the 27th of July 2021, online. Hosted by the Portuguese interreg partner, the topic that brought us together was « Coastal recreational events as sources of marine litter and exploring possible policies to improve waste performance and recycling on these occasions ».
Like all the partners, PP7 MerTerre had to invite one of its local stakeholders. We’ve decided to invite Diane Fréquelin, Zero Plastic Waste and Marine Litter Project manager at the regional council of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. The region is facing two major issues : Multiple illegal practices : illegal dumps, marine pollution, illegal dismantling sites, etc. and poor performance on well-established sectors : relatively low collection rate, low citizen awareness, etc.
In order to address those issues, the Regional council has integrated a Zero plastic waste in storage in 2030 target in its regional waste planning. Its objectives are :
- Ban on storage of plastic packaging in 2025
- Ban on storage of all plastics in 2030
- Preventing unnecessary plastic consumption
- Prevention of macro/micro plastic waste pollution in the marine environment
- Raising awareness of ecodesign and recyclability of products
- Emergence of new sectors of waste valorization
- Local valorization of secondary plastic raw materials
To reach those targets, the region has launched and is implementing different programs and tools with a wide panel of organizations.
She presented some of those programs, for example, the call for projects “Zero Plastic Waste in the Mediterranean” which allows to support innovation. They also finance the association MerTerre in the accompaniment of the structures registered on the platform "ReMed Zero Plastic". This initiative brings together a wide range of public and private actors to share know-how and strengthen local initiatives in the service of a "zero litter" objective.
In collaboration with the ARBE (Regional Agency for Biodiversity and Environment), they have launched a “Zero Plastic Waste'' charter. Signatories (collectivities, companies, schools) are invited to explain what they are doing to reduce and eliminate plastic from their premises/ activities following a reduction plan and being helped and coached by the regional agency.
The region also works in collaboration with multiple CPIE (Permanent Initiative Centre for the Environment) across its territory and is running multiple plastic reduction programs locally through multiple channels. The region stands alongside the CPIE Côte Provençale for zero plastic canteens and for the reduction of waste in canteens. For example, to replace plastic food containers for cooking, reheating and serving in canteens (Egalim law). But also to reduce the waste of the collective catering and to value those produced (recycling of packaging, composting of bio-waste).
In addition, the region works with COFEES (Collective of Eco-responsible and Solidary Festivals in the South Region) and supports innovative solutions for the eco-responsibility of festivals. This proactive approach aims to raise awareness and encourage cultural festivals and venues to adopt responsible practices by sharing knowledge, pooling resources and reducing environmental impacts. The COFEES is today 24 live performance events, among the most emblematic of the South Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, to propose innovative and concrete actions in environmental and societal matters, by adapting the ISO 26000 CSR standard (Corporate Social Responsibility) to their activities.
