Waste Sorting at Strasbourg's Christmas Market: A Sustainable Approach

For several years, Strasbourg, as the Capital of Christmas, has been dedicated to minimizing its environmental footprint. In line with this commitment, the city focuses on waste management and encourages responsible actions from all participants. This year, a new initiative is being introduced to sort and recycle waste effectively, contributing to the city's eco-friendly objectives.

Waste Sorting and Valorization:

As a pioneering step, the city has placed recycling bins throughout the Christmas Market, specifically designed to collect cans and plastic bottles consumed by visitors. This measure, enthusiastically supported by the citizen jury convened in 2021, aligns with Strasbourg's Capital of Christmas's goal of promoting responsible practices.

Simultaneously, waste generated by the market exhibitors is also systematically collected and processed. The following materials are targeted for recycling:

• Cardboard, plastic, and paper
• Polyester
• Tetra Paks
• Organic waste

Green Phoenix, a startup using cargo bikes, collects organic waste from exhibitors four times a week, ensuring a fully decarbonized process. The collected organic waste is then transformed into biogas, which is injected into Strasbourg's gas network. Since the market's opening, 3 tons of waste have been collected, with an expected target of reaching 5 tons by the event's conclusion.

Additionally, a pilot project is underway to collect used cooking oil at Saint Thomas and Kléber squares.

The Best Waste is No Waste:

Emphasizing the mantra "the best waste is the one that is not produced," market exhibitors have been using reusable cups for several years. This approach significantly reduces the generation of disposable waste. The city is also experimenting with bio-sourced cups, further exploring sustainable alternatives.

In addition to waste sorting, the city encourages visitors to bring their reusable containers when purchasing food and beverages from the market exhibitors, promoting a collective effort towards sustainability.