Composting, recycling and waste reduction, the school year is going to be full for the pupils and staff of seven schools in the district of Rouen. SMÉDAR approached them at the beginning of the new school year, and they all accepted to put a lot of effort into the European "ETAPE" project and become partners in sustainability.

After several years' work with schools, SMÉDAR has set itself a new challenge, i.e. involve everyone in middle and high schools: pupils, teachers, administrative and service staff. The aim is to create a real driving force for this project and encourage and achieve sustainable operations for the protection of the environment. ERDF funding has been used.

4089 Pupils at the Heart of the Project

Be they stimulated by "eco-delegate" pupils, or within the scope of an IDD (Itinéraire de découverte - discovery itinerary), everyone gains from the ETAPE project.

Three sorting ambassadors from SMÉDAR have been appointed as "technical advisors" to each establishment. They support them on an everyday basis in their initiatives and offer many activities: lectures in class on recycling and eco-consumption, distribution of composters and training in their use, theatre workshops run by a professional company, visits to the sorting facility, design of communication materials etc...

The variety of activities satisfies needs that were quantified beforehand with the educational teams. Each operation gives priority to practical applications and public involvement.

© Photos : Jérôme Lallier