Born in 2019 from the will of the most popular Stars'N'Bars American restaurant founded by the late Kate Powers, the Principality of Monaco has been taking part to the European Week for Waste Reduction (EWWR) - Semaine Européenne de la Reduction des Déchets (SERD) with growing participation and incredible commitment of the local community. Past editions were particularly effective in raising awareness among various stakeholders to put in practice best practices and aimed at reducing waste production through the paramount 3Rs paradigm: reduce, reuse and recycle. The 2022 edition, which has just started, is taking place from the 21st until the 27th November 2022, and it promises to be exciting and engaging with a substantial weekly program set in the Principality. This year, in fact, 83 actions will be carried out involving over 50 different actors in order to best develop the selected theme: "Textiles circularise et durables" (Circular and Sustainable Textile) under the slogan of "Les déchets, c'est démodé" (Garbage is old-fashioned).
As already mentioned on MONACŒCOART®, the fashion industry is one of the most impacting industrial sectors including the end of life of the unsold product, extremely difficult to dispose.
Under the guidance of the Monaco's Government Department of the Environment, the Direction de l'Environnement, the Principality was soon considered as a leading country for implementing this 'green' initiative started in 2009 within the European Union Life programme. Thus, in 2020 the branch of the Gouvernment Princier was officially invited to join the Steering Committee in charge of both organisation and financing. And other key actors also helped to boost the growth, notably the Mairie de Monaco (Monaco City Hall) and the Musée Océanographique (Oceanographic Museum).
At the inaugural press conference on Monday the 21st November 2022, Valérie Davenet, Director of the Department of the Environment, pointed out : « I am very happy that the number of participants involved in conveying this important message is growing so fast in Monaco from institutions to associations and the trade sector. Goodwill, dynamism and sense of collaboration are the added values of this Week. I am pleased to represent the Monaco's government whose identity has allowed Monaco to apply for the project as a development territory. What we care about is ensuring proper visibility and increase the involvement of the local community to make a due reporting at European level about all that is done in the Principality. So, success is not ours but the one of all of us.. Monaco was noted for its capacity to create action, both public and addressed to target audiences. This year’s mission is to rethink the way we consume by finding the most sustainable solutions in an area that was not so simple to convey. In the end, many brilliant ideas blew up ».
Marjorie Crovetto, Deputy Mayor in charge of Living Environment and Sustainable Development highlighted : « I am very happy with the energy we put into this program of events open to the public at no cost. The Monaco Media Library, the Médiathèque de Monaco, will also present themed works while all employees of the municipality have been involved in the collection of used clothing from Monday till Friday to be personally involved in the cause ». A clothing and textile collection is organised at the Direction du Tourisme et des Congrès addressed to all employees as well as at the Automobile Club de Monaco and SBM Offshore.
Serge Gobbi, in charge of environmental policies at the Musée Océanographique and the Oceanographic Institute stated: « The feeling of working together increasingly creates a family atmosphere now in its fourth edition. This year, we conceived interesting meetings at the Oceanographic Museum with special focus to a one-ecological day on Thursday the 24th November where various skills will be tested from sustainability to video editing, from biodiversity protection to organic products and cuisine. Partners who accompany us throughout the year, starting from the Mairie de Monaco, give the necessary support to make everything a success together with new entries ». About 70 students from five different educational institutions from the Principality of Monaco and Nice (International School of Monaco (ISM), International University of Monaco (IUM), Lycée Albert I, Lycée F.A.N.B and the Lycée des Palmiers de Nice) will be involved in a series of workshops aimed at engage them in smart actions to reduce the impact of the textile industry. The notion of “eco-fashion” will be developed through three challenges: 1. Upcycling, 2. Green Influencer and 3. Conference and Fashion Revolution Quiz. Students will live a "zero-waste" full immersion at every stage of the day including meals that will respect the parameters of sustainability, despite being prepared by star chefs.
Inès Bensalah, talented eco-fashion stylist and conceiver of Inessa Creations Monaco, new eco-responsible fashion brand, concluded: « I had the pleasure to attend the European Week for Waste Reduction in collaboration with Stars'N'Bars. I am fully committed in giving new life to clothing that people no longer use. I organise eco-fashion shows involving young non-professional models to reinforce the implication of the new Monegasque generations. As for this year's edition I will join the full-day of eco-fashion at the Oceanographic Museum on Thursday. I am really excited about that! ».
The Centre Hospitalier Princesse Grace collects from its employees various textiles (clothing, sneakers, household linen, etc.) to donate to the Monegasque Red Cross. A public collection and eco-responsible animations are provided from the 21st until the 25th November 2022, as well.
The European Week will end with the Sustainable Texture Day on the 26th November 2022 at the Casa D'i' Soci where key actors of EWWR will raise awareness on the 3Rs approach from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. The association Entreparents will launch a collection and selling of clothes for babies and children up to 6 years old. The money raised will be used to fund and support the activities of the association dedicated to helping young parents while the unsold clothing will be donated to: the Monegasque Red Cross and Mission Enfance. The Centre de la Jeunesse Princesse Stephanie (Princess Stephanie Youth Centre) will animate a series of family creation workshops in view of the incoming Christmas time to reduce packaging and waste.
Ecopolis Monaco will run a workshop focused on the processing and reuse of used fabrics and clothing to convert them in tawashi textile. Organza Monaco will offer you to transform your outdated or damaged evening dresses through a unique creative technique.
Among the new partners, Ecoslowwasting a raising Monegasque company founded by Elisa Alberto that is providing support in eco-management and environmentally friendly behaviours to reduce waste through a digital platform and training.
But what are the actions to participate in? MONACŒCOART® collected some of the main initiatives throughout the European Week for Waste Reduction in Monaco.
Institutional Actions
Used Underwear collection
The Environment Directorate installed a container at Fontvieille Shopping Mall where everyone can carry clean underwear (panties, socks, underwear, bra etc.) that are no longer used to recycle them giving a second-life.
Where: from November the 21st to the 25th : Fontvieille Shopping Mall - outdoor space next to the jewellery store. On November the 26th: Maison des Associations (Promenade Honoré II, 2bis) from 9 a.m. until 4 p,m,
When: from 21/11 to 25/11: permanent; on 26/11: from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Contact: environment@gouv.mc
+377 98 98 83 41
Monaco City Council organises a solidarity collection of work clothes for the association La Cravate Solidaire committed in the reintegration of people in difficulty by preparing them for job interviews and providing them with adequate clothing.
Suits, shirts and blouses in good condition are welcome!
Condamine Market
Thursday November the 24th
Opening hours: from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m.
Contact and information: www.mairie.mc
TAF - The Animal Fund offers an educational stand on textiles, showing the harms of textile production, transportation and packaging. The stand presents bamboo, hemp and organic cotton clothing solutions and recyclable and biodegradable packaging for clothing.
Fontvieille Shopping Mall
23rd November 2022
From 11 a.m. unti 6 p.m. Contact : info@theanimalfund.net
Treasure Hunt
On the 23rd November 2022, Monaco City Hall, in partnership with Société Monégasque d’Assainissement - SMA and the Direction de l’Aménagement Urbain du Gouvernement Princier - DAU, launches a treasure hunt on the theme of textiles. All participants will have to solve puzzles and face challenges to access the Treasury. The Award Ceremony will be held at Place d'Armes on the SMA stand.
Timetable: departures at 1 pm, 2.30 pm and 4 pm – (1 hour tour)
Contact, information and registration:
sma.cpr@sma.mc (limited places)
Monaco City Council organises a youth creative workshop for children aged 6 to 12 (upon registration) to create a painting with fabrics of recovery and paintings.
Princess Antoinette Park
Wednesday, November 23
Three sessions, at 2 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Contact: +33 6 80 86 41 52
Monaco City Council offers the public a sewing introductory workshop to
Where: Bibliothèque Louis Notari – Médiathèque de Monaco, 8 rue Louis Notari
When: Wednesday, November 23
Opening hours: from 2 p.m to 4:30 p.m. (by reservation)
Contact : +377 93 15 29 40 www.mediatheque.mc
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Discover MONACŒCOART® for Business:
By Maurice Abbati
Springer International Publishing
