Did you know that in France, there is a valuable initiative aimed at coastal municipalities to help them combat plastic pollution? It is a charter developed by several organizations, which includes all the necessary elements to achieve an ambitious goal: eliminate plastic pollution from all French beaches!
Plastic pollution has become one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time, and beaches, symbols of relaxation and vacation, are particularly affected by this scourge. To address this issue, the Ministry of Ecological Transition launched the « Plages sans déchet plastique pour des communes littorales éco-exemplaires » charter, abbreviated as « Plages sans déchet plastique. » It is a framework designed to mobilize coastal communities in the fight against plastic waste by providing them with the tools to quickly implement concrete actions in the preservation of marine and coastal ecosystems.
Origin and objectives of the charter Launched in 2020, the « Plages sans déchet plastique » charter is part of the broader framework of the 2018 Biodiversity Plan. This strategy aims to preserve natural resources while ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come. Under its « ocean » section, the plan includes an ambitious goal of zero plastic waste entering the sea by 2025, relying on several measures, including this charter.
The charter, which is very comprehensive, was developed by the National Association of Coastal Elected Officials (Anel) in collaboration with the Agency for the Environment and Energy Management (Ademe), the Conservatory of the Coastal and Lacustrine Areas (Celrl), and the environmental NGO Surfrider Foundation, dedicated to ocean conservation.
To achieve its goal of encouraging beach preservation actions in municipalities, the charter focuses on three main areas:
- Awareness: Informing all users (residents, vacationers, business owners, students, etc.) and guiding them in adopting best practices for oceans and against plastic pollution.
- Prevention: Promoting sustainable alternatives to plastic while reducing or even banning single-use plastics.
- Waste cleaning, collection, and sorting: Implementing means and actions to collect and sort waste while encouraging good practices.
Each signatory municipality commits to implementing specific actions in these areas (5 actions per focus area) with progressive milestones that reflect their commitment. For instance, by completing 5 actions out of 15, the municipality reaches the first milestone. At 10 actions, it reaches the second milestone, and upon completing 15 actions, it achieves the third and final milestone.
Concrete actions that can be immediately applied One of the advantages of the charter is that it provides concrete solutions to the problem of plastic pollution along the coast. It can thus be seen as a ready-to-use tool, immediately operational, requiring no brainstorming or multi-disciplinary meetings to work. For raising awareness about plastic waste, for example, the charter recommends informing and educating the public on the related issues and their environmental impact.
This includes informational posters highlighting the main waste found on the beach, educational workshops in schools, community centers, and sports clubs, as well as involving local business owners in this virtuous loop by encouraging them to promote alternatives to single-use plastics while educating their customers about the issues on the coast.
The charter also urges signatory municipalities to require events held on or near beaches to be zero plastic, to install drinking water fountains, distribute pocket ashtrays (as cigarette butts are one of the main waste items found on beaches), or to set up trash bins and tide bins along the coast. These containers should be emptied regularly, depending on the beach’s foot traffic, to avoid waste accumulation.
A commitment still limited despite obvious benefits Surprisingly, despite its relevance and the positive outcomes it offers, the adoption of the « Plages sans déchet plastique » charter remains limited. In 2023, only 83 coastal municipalities had signed it, a modest number representing only 8.7% of the 947 maritime municipalities in France. This reluctance towards the protection of coastal areas has prompted Anel to step up its efforts and set a new goal: to recruit half of France’s coastal communities by the end of 2025.
While some factors may explain the hesitation of municipalities, such as the lack of human and financial resources or insufficient sensitivity to environmental issues, it should be noted that joining the « Plages sans déchet plastique » charter presents several advantages that go beyond ecological considerations. Indeed, fighting disposable plastic and reducing its use will make the coastline and even the streets cleaner. This, in turn, will improve the quality of life for residents, reduce beach cleaning needs, and send a message of a clean city to visitors, as well as highlight a municipality’s commitment to sustainable actions and eco-friendly ideas to care for the beach.
This recognition will enhance the attractiveness of the coastline and thus the municipality, as clean and well-maintained beaches attract more visitors, while eco-friendly infrastructure (sorting bins, drinking fountains to reduce bottled water usage, etc.) improves the tourist experience. Ultimately, if the municipality’s foot traffic increases, it means more revenue for the city and its businesses!
In the end, the « Plages sans déchet plastique » charter’s impact extends far beyond the environmental issues that led to its creation. It is part of a much broader approach that harmonizes economy, ecology, and even social aspects. Considered from all these angles, the charter can be seen as a powerful lever to build more resilient, attractive, and sustainable communities in the face of future challenges.
Source: Sur la plage
