Mr Jacques Auxiette

“An historic partner of the Assises des Déchets since their first edition, it is natural for the Pays de la Loire Region to continue to participate in the discussions held at La Baule. Firstly because, in 2009, we shall be finalising our regional plan for the disposal of hazardous waste and because we would like to share the extremely valuable experience we have gained from this task. A diagnosis of the regional situation – an adequate number of plants for processing this type of waste but poor knowledge of the sources, by category and by region, without neglecting questions on certain flows such as healthcare waste etc. The conviction that only the consensus of the parties involved can turn a PREDD into a tool that can be applied in the field … And, finally, the analysis of the way roles are currently distributed between the Government, the Region, other local authorities and businesses has highlighted the limited present day efficiency of this type of planning “à la française”.

However, we have an even stronger reason for taking part in these discussions. At a time when we are going through what is being termed the “crisis”, but which I can identify as an eminently good time for changing the way in which we think, a transition between two eras, waste is a good illustration of how we have to invent the society of the future. No longer can we allow ourselves the short-term view, to deal as best we can with the tasks for which we are responsible and, therefore, to control, somehow, our waste output. On the contrary, we need to produce less waste and this will need our individual and collective behaviour patterns, and our production and consumption methods to undergo major changes, by altering the very nature of the products we consume.

This is our duty: obviously, ours, the politicians but also ours, the citizens and ours, the businesses. We have to invent, to demonstrate a creativity that will allow us to replace obsolete models. Each of us must take part in this effort: businesses, of course, in terms of both processing technologies and of product concept and eco-design in the widest possible sense. However, it is a duty that also faces public powers that will need to provide support for the research and development effort and also to the citizens who will be called upon to assume new behaviour patterns. And, together, we need to communicate this dynamism by questioning each other. Businesses must share their dynamism and their good ideas with local authorities; citizens must be provided with the means for experimenting with new and better lifestyles in their population catchment areas; public powers must know how to encourage good practices and support promising initiatives.

I believe that it is only in this frame of mind that we will experience the true sustainable development our society requires, without any trend effect and without any sabre rattling.”

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