From Trash to Innovation: Sustainable Social Enterprises Tackle Pollution and Waste in Paris 2024

A total of EUR 1.6 million has been awarded to nine social businesses to provide cleaning and laundry services for the 24,000 residents of the Olympic and Paralympic Village. These companies are committed to sustainability in their operations, ensuring that their work is environmentally friendly and socially responsible.

The Aquatic Centre and La Chappelle Arena have 11,000 chairs made from sustainable materials developed as part of the Le Pavé project. This project, founded by three young entrepreneurs, aims to transform plastic waste into innovative materials that can replace cement and virgin plastic. The success of this initiative demonstrates the potential for sustainability-focused businesses to thrive in the face of challenges like pollution and waste reduction.

Halage is an association that trains individuals facing barriers to employment in creating green spaces within the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Village. Their work promotes sustainability by reintegrating nature into urban areas that have been affected by pollution. By doing so, they aim to promote community engagement and contribute to a cleaner, healthier environment for all residents.

H.A.W.A AU FÉMININ is a company that provides training in fashion-related activities for women facing life challenges who create souvenirs from used textile materials from the Arena Porte de la Chapelle construction site. This initiative not only promotes creativity and skill development but also contributes to reducing waste and promoting sustainability in the construction industry.

Overall, these social businesses are making a positive impact on both their local communities and the environment through their commitment to sustainability and innovation.