Protecting an exceptional living environment, between sea and pine forests
The "Nettoyons le Sud" operation mobilized many volunteers in La Londe-les-Maures to preserve the local environment.
From now on, the "Nettoyons le Sud" operation is an essential event in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. Initiated by the Région and carried out at the local level by François de Canson, vice-president of the Région, this day of mobilization demonstrated a collective commitment to the preservation of the Mediterranean environment.
This operation goes far beyond collecting litter. It is an act of awareness-raising designed to protect our exceptional living environment, between sea and pine forests. This is everyone's business. The town, a jewel of the Côte d'Azur with its fine sand beaches (Pellegrin, Miramar, l'Argentière) and its protected forest areas, must set an example.
Several sectors
Every year, the Ville welcomes volunteers under the best conditions. This year, the meeting point was at port Miramar. This is the moment when teams are formed and equipment is distributed. The Ville, in partnership with the Région, provides all the necessary kit to work safely, including protective gloves, trash bags of different colors to initiate selective sorting in the field (bags for recyclable waste, bags for residual waste), and vests to guarantee the safety of volunteers along traffic routes.
The teams spread out over several sectors of the municipality, identified by the technical services and the deputy for the environment.
This concerned the beaches and the coastline, sensitive areas where macro-waste (plastics, ropes, cigarette butts) threatens marine wildlife. The operation also concerned the banks of the Maravenne and the Pansard because, in the event of flooding, these watercourses carry waste to the sea.
Suburban areas and pine forests were not forgotten, as they are also walking areas impacted by incivilities.
The diversity of participants
What makes "Nettoyons le Sud" a success is the diversity of its participants. My appeal was heard. Many parents came accompanied by their children. Nature protection associations, sports clubs (diving or hiking clubs), and neighborhood committees responded to the call. Finally, elected officials and municipal agents put on their sneakers and participated in the cleanup alongside the residents.
From collection to sorting
The operation did not stop at collection. Once the bags were filled, the volunteers converged on the consolidation point for weighing and sorting.
The volumes collected amounted to several hundred kilos (plastic bottles, aluminum cans, glass, pieces of polystyrene, and unfortunately thousands of cigarette butts).
Then, this data is centralized at the regional level to measure the impact of the campaign. However, the emphasis is on recovery. What can be recycled is directed to the appropriate channels thanks to the sorting ambassadors of the community of municipalities.
And, to thank the volunteers, the Municipalité closed the morning with a friendship drink. During this special moment of exchange, there was much talk about long-term solutions to reduce waste at the source.
Article from the paper edition of La Gazette du Var