500 families commit to zero waste in Roubaix

"It takes five minutes: melt in a bain-marie and let it freeze", explains to AFP this 38-year-old liberal nurse, who launched in 2016 in this new initiative in France, proposed by the town hall for encourage families to reduce their non-recycled waste.

Washing powder, shampoo, toothpaste, yogurt, cosmetics ... Exit the tubes and other bottles: Magdalène makes everyday products herself, right down to "Tawashi" sponges, braided from used fabric. In his kitchen, glass jars have replaced industrial bags. "It does more dishes but at least I know what is in my products," she argues.

The click, she had at the sight of "the size of the trash", thinking of the future of her two daughters, who participate with her in the making of products. "When you only see plastic and overwrapping in supermarkets, you tell yourself that there is really a problem," she notes. Today, she buys in bulk and says she has reduced food waste.

If it started with "ecological concern", Magdalene understood that there was also an "economic impact". "We earn between 100 and 150 euros per month, which is not negligible", underlines this woman eager to share her experience "without forcing those around her".

"I don't feel like I'm doing extraordinary things, just replicating what we were doing 50 years ago ..."

"Preconceived idea"

Launched in 2014 to respond in particular to public insalubrity in this city of 100.000 inhabitants - the poorest in France, according to INSEE - the program supports families on a voluntary basis through free workshops, with the challenge of reducing 50% annual production of household waste.

"There was this conviction that we were at the end of a model. Either we treated it in an administrative manner, or we spoke to citizens" in a "playful way", explains to AFP Guillaume Delbar, various mayor of Roubaix . The first in France to offer such an approach, the city now receives delegations to share its experience.

Because four years later, the results are "very largely positive". "We are almost 50% less waste in the families concerned, even 80%", with "a real effect on purchasing power, because some families have saved up to 250 euros per month, or 3.000 euros per year ", rejoices Mr. Delbar, for whom ecology is now" the concern of all ".

Before embarking on the adventure eight months ago, Abigayil Schnunt, professor of specialized schools, looked at this "from an outside eye". "I thought it was too complicated," she recalls.

To critics denouncing practices that are too time-consuming, she replies today that it is "a preconceived idea". "It doesn't necessarily take more time, it's just a different routine", nuances this mother of three who has "changed her habits" by going from the discount supermarket to local merchants, with her jars and cloth bags.

"The price per kilo is sometimes more expensive but as we eat better, we consume better: I make less mess, I think more before buying," she insists, saying that "the game is really worth the effort ". "I think I will never go back."

Intended to enhance a circular economy, the program has extended to around fifty traders and school canteens. Now, "the goal is to shift gears" from "experimentation to generalization," says Delbar.