French start-up 3Wayste signs MoU with Innovative Finance Foundation & TERI
Speech by the Ambassador of France to India, H.E. Mr Alexandre Ziegler.
to rollout innovative technology for solid waste management in India
to rollout innovative technology for solid waste management in India
to rollout innovative technology for solid waste management in India
New Delhi, 24 April 2017
Dear Hon’ble Minister, Mrs Yashodhara Raje Scindia,
Mrs Sonal Mansingh, Brand ambassador of Swachh Bharat,
Mr Ajay Mathur, Director General of TERI,
Mr Robert Philipps, President of Innovative Finance Initiative
Mr Fabien Charreyre, Director General of 3Wayste
Dear distinguished guest,
I am very delighted to be with you tonight and to take part to the signing of a MoU between Innovative Finance Foundation, TERI and French Company 3Wayste. I would like to particularly thank M. Robert Filipp from the Innovative Finance Foundation, Dr Ajay Mathur, Director General of TERI and Mr Charreyre, Director general of 3Wayste, for organizing this event.
The topic of the panel discussion that will take place tonight is one of the most critical issues that we are facing in making our lifestyle more sustainable. India faces substantial challenges in the area of waste management: 143 000 tons of municipal solid waste are generated per day in this country, though only 21% are processed or treated. The challenge posed by the remaining untreated waste is huge, be it of from an environmental or a health point of view.
Innovative solutions for solid waste management are an absolute necessity anywhere in the world, but especially in a country which amount for almost 20% of the world’s population.
You have chosen the right time to organize this event. Last saturday was the Earth Day. And this day marked also the first anniversary of the signing of the Paris agreement on fighting climate change. This symbolic day must be a reminder for all of us: we must collectively act to reduce our environmental impact. And indeed, the role that improved waste management can play on mitigating climate change is crucial.
Enormous CO2 emission savings can be made through recycling materials. Talking about climate change without addressing waste management and recycling would be ignoring one of the key solutions to reduce our carbon impact on the planet. Just recall that a waste system working efficiently, and to its maximum potential, can reduce up to 15%-20% of a country’s CO2 emissions, as compared to a scheme where waste is just dumped, which still is the case for 70% of the waste produced in the whole world.
The good news is that better waste management is making its way into mainstream policies in India and all over the world. Through the Smart City initiative, or ambitious programs such as AMRUT or the dynamic Clean India / Swachh Bharat mission, innovative solutions and infrastructures are brought in all over India. The new solid waste management regulations published by the government in April 2016 have also sent a clear message and shown a clear commitment towards a more efficient waste management.
France has also set ambitious targets for waste management for 2020. Our main policy objective on waste management is first of all to reduce the generation of wastes, and secondly to increase the proportion of recycled wastes. Since 2000, the amount of generated municipal solid waste has decreased, and the share of recycled wastes has risen. Dumping of solid waste has been cut by half between 2000 and 2013. At the same time, the share of recycled wastes went up to 22%. France has also committed to reduce the proportion of wastes requiring incineration or burning.
I am deeply convinced that real pro-climate solutions will move us toward a more circular economy: one that doesn’t accept any material as waste. Recycling, composting, and waste reduction are proven, low-cost and ready to implement sustainable solutions. But in order to achieve these ambitious goals, in addition to a strong political will, you need to build a whole industrial ecosystem.
French companies have notable experience and success in the management of urban waste, having provided successful tailor-made solutions in various cities across the world. Their expertise includes all the phases of solid waste management. Eight French companies are already active in India in the field of water, waste and environment. And the French Development Agency (AFD) is looking forward to increasing its operation in promising fields like solid waste management or waste-to-energy projects.
3-Wayste is a perfect illustration of what the French expertise can offer. This technology is an innovative waste management system, capable of treating 100% of municipal solid waste, while converting more than 90% into clean energy fuel, pure compost and valuable raw material. Its revolutionary treatment process in France has first been tested in the city of Polignac in the center of France, and made it a reference point for the world. For its ambition is now to become global. There is no better way to go global than being present here in India. The ambition of 3-Wayste is to set up as soon as possible a first waste-management facility, here in India, showcasing to everybody the innovation and efficiency of its technological solution.
In a world faced with tremendous environmental stakes, we need visionary people like you, Mr Charreyre, Mr Philips, who are able to take risks to invent new solutions, who act at the local level and yet keep a worldwide ambition.
It’s a real privilege for me to witness this new alliance between an innovative French company, a reference Indian think tank, and the Innovative Finance Foundation.
I thank you for your high-quality and pioneering work, and I wish you a very fruitful panel discussion.