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Dozens of dilapidated fridges, stoves… the site looks like a dump. But by recovering parts from these out-of-use machines, we can make others, in perfect working order. This is the work of this pioneer association in the recovery of devices, and also in professional reintegration. Excerpt from “Special Envoy”.
At first glance, the site looks like a dump. When a household appliance brand comes to collect your out-of-use fridge to deliver a new one to you, that’s where it gets rid of it next. But these dilapidated machines are going to be carefully dismantled. All the elements that still work will be recovered, and will join the 17,000 references of second-hand parts stored here. Microwave motors, computer motherboards, refrigerator drawers and windows… are waiting for a second life in this recycling center near Strasbourg. There is enough to reconstruct thousands of utensils.
This association, which for thirty-five years has combined device recovery and professional reintegration, is a pioneer. With three machines out of order, the workshops of the Envie network are manufacturing a new one, in perfect working order. It will immediately go on sale in the adjacent boutique, one of the 45 open in France. It looks like an appliance store… where everything is offered at half price. Even high-tech products, more and more often bought second-hand. One in five French people has already acquired a refurbished mobile phone.
When reuse creates jobs
The association also allows unemployed people or refugees to train for a new profession. Its employees are 70% on the support course, explains Amaury Grenot, general manager of Envie Strasbourg. “Slightly dented profiles“ whom the network wants to give a new chance.
Buying second-hand devices rather than new would therefore make it possible to create jobs, and not just destroy them? “These are not the same jobsanswers A. Grenot. Today, when we manufacture new products, a lot of things are automated. When we are in the reuse, in the renovation, we rely a lot on the man. You can’t automate the renovation of a device…”
To see in “My second-hand life”, a rebroadcast report in “Special Envoy” on September 29, 2022.
> Replays of France Télévisions news magazines are available on the franceinfo website and its mobile application (iOS & Android), “Magazines” section.