By 2050, annual waste production worldwide is estimated to reach 3.4 billion tons, compared to just over 2 billion currently. An increase of 70 % over thirty years, with disparities between territories: this is the challenge that stakeholders in the sector will have to meet, starting with local authorities, which are mostly responsible for project management.
Populations and public authorities are becoming increasingly aware of issues relating to waste in terms of health, environment, climate and the economy. Through projects in the field and consulting missions, GRET works alongside local stakeholders (social businesses, local authorities, informal workers) from pre-collection through to valorisation of waste.
GRET also raises awareness on prevention and reduction of waste production, marine pollution and waste processing (recycling of plastic waste, composting, energy valorisation), and is active in the search for innovative financial tools such as carbon finance.
According to Florian Marchadour, Waste management project manager with GRET, “Cities in developing countries are invaded by solid waste, particularly due to transient, mainly imported, consumption habits: plastic and electronic waste, etc. As public authorities are often powerless and civil society ill-equipped, GRET provides technical and financial support, strengthens informal stakeholders’ knowledge and dignity, and highlights the circular economy and prevention, with a view to more sustainable, resilient societies.”
