Located in an area of Nice that is undergoing urban renewal, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, the Recyclerie des Moulins has been created by the Nice Côte d'Azur Metropolis as a living space and a space where objects can be revalued. This emblematic structure of the circular economy combines environmental, social and economic functions.
The Recyclerie des Moulins, a model of circular economy in the city of Nice
- 01 June 2021
'La Recyclerie des Moulins is a space that combines the three pillars of sustainable development: environmental, thanks toas a result of waste reduction and raising the awareness of tomorrow's eco-citizens; social, due to improvements in the living environment; and economic, thanks to an affordable consumption rate and professional reintegration activities.
Inaugurated on 3 May 2018, the Recyclerie des Moulins is based on the creation of three functions in the same place: a collection and sorting function for bulky objects from the Les Moulins district, a recycling plant with a repair workshop and sales area, and an educational facility based on sustainable development and the environment. The facility comprises an educational garden, a shared garden and a collective composting space.
This facility is managed by GALICE, an association that aims to promote the social and solidarity economy and social inclusion through sustainable development.
Multi-stage operation
The recycling service collects bulky items in the Les Moulins district. It also offers an incentive service for on-site voluntary contributions and for home collection by appointment. Sorting is a major function of the service: it’s the stage where incoming flows are measured and qualified. It is also the point at which any waste suitable for recovery is identified, as well as any waste intended for the recycling or disposal channels.
Valuation is then the stage where the collected objects are checked, cleaned and repaired to restore their value. Thanks to the work of the recovery team, some parts are customised or revamped to create new objects. Finally, the shop is the pinnacle of the reuse chain: ultimately, it offers users a range of products at low prices (furniture, small household appliances, audio equipment, computers, crockery, toys, books, records, decorative items, etc.).
Raising awareness among the general public
In addition, the recycling plant is responsible for an ongoing environmental awareness campaign aimed at the general public and schoolchildren. The idea is to inform and raise awareness about waste prevention and, more generally, respect for the environment; this is particularly achieved through workshops, the educational garden and the shared garden.
As a partner of the local authorities, the recycling plant's awareness-raising activities are also targeted at professional intermediaries and employees of local companies.
Job development is at the heart of the project. As an economic activity integration project, the recycling plant offers people looking for work a paid job, training and specific individual and group support, as well as work scenarios for sustainable employment.
The recycling plant welcomed nearly 11 000 visitors in 2019 in respect of a neighbourhood with a population of 12 000 people. A total of 303 tonnes of bulky items were collected in the Les Moulins district, and 1 950 voluntary contributors were identified making a total of nearly 347 tonnes of collection material.
Seventeen tonnes of objects were upgraded and resold, and 190 objects were revamped and upcycled. In addition, 225 events were put on over the course of the year, an average of 19 per month. Finally, the recycling plant employs four permanent employees, and 28 reintegrated employees have worked on the various activities offered on the site.
Total investment and European funding
Total investment for the ‘Recyclerie des Moulins’ project was EUR 780 132; the European Regional Development Fund contribution amounted to EUR 390 066 under the ‘ERDF/ESF OP for Provence-Alpes Côte d’Azur’ cooperation programme for the 2014–2020 programming period.