Guadeloupe: Review of the first waste oil collection operation
- radesignfr
- Jan 20
- 2 min read
Updated: Jan 30
From October 2023 to April 2024, Cyclevia conducted its first waste oils and oils packaging collection trial for private individuals with its network of car maintenance partners. The conclusive results of this operation are already a source of inspiration for similar projects in other overseas territories and in mainland France.
The French overseas territories stand out from the crowd by the unique challenges they pose in managing waste oils and the expectations of the public authority are high in regards to this waste, which poses serious threats for the environment and for public health. It is within this context that the first collection operation took in partnership with the car maintenance network of garages belonging to the Groupe Barbotteau. Six freely accessible collection banks for waste oils and their packaging were installed for 6 months in car parks at Midas and Norauto sites.
The aim of this initiative was to boost the network of existing municipal recycling facilities, to counteract illegal dumping and to inform people holding this waste about how dangerous it is. This operation was entirely funded by Cyclevia. The waste collected was managed by an accredited collection operator, transported and regrouped at safe and secure transfer sites, and then exported to mainland France for regeneration or for energy recovery.
Conclusive results and the lessons learnt for the future
An encouraging quantity collected: In 6 months, the 6 voluntary drop-off points collected 3,895 kg of used oil and 628 kg of plastic packaging.
Quantities on the rise: By adding the quantities collected at the 6 Midas and Norauto centres with those of the municipal recycling facilities, the waste oils collected rose by 5.83 tonnes (i.e. an increase of 11.4%) compared to the same period in the previous year.
Working-class areas located far away from municipal recycling facilities are ideal candidates for collection operations: Experience has confirmed the relevance in targeting underserved areas.
Targeting informal garages has been successfully achieved: The details on the types of packaging collected shows that the operation directly affected them, with 71% of 20-litre oil cans (used by informal garages or farmers), compared to only 24% of 4-5 litre packaging (often used by private individuals).
Respectful and concerned users: The tidiness of collection points and the respect of sorting rules are telling signs of a certain level of maturity in the matter from waste oil. The facilities, encouraging people to dispose of full oil cans but prohibiting any refilling, and the communication campaign to foster best practice, have been effective.
What next?
Drawing on this major first success, Groupe Barbotteau would like to continue collection beyond the initial 6-months planned. Cyclevia provided the equipment at the 6 collection points free of charge and will continue to fund the entire collection operation.
Elsewhere in overseas territories, some stakeholders have already expressed their eagerness to see such an operation being implemented in their area. In this respect, trials are underway in Mayotte and in French Guiana. In mainland France, a partnership with 3 car maintenance chains will be created in the spring of 2025.
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