Our parents or grandparents were familiar with this refunded deposit system when we bring back the empty bottle, before we made the choice in France of glass containers. ” Why break a bottle to make it a waste? “This question, Thomas Préault, in charge of the project, has been asking for a long time. The deposit reduces greenhouse gases by 75% and 30% less water consumption compared to recycling energy-intensive glass. A bottle can be reused fifty times.
– Michael Benoit
Once retrieved, the bottle will be washed thanks to a machine that is difficult to find on the market: ” We picked her up in Quebec ” explains Sylvain Lesage, creator of “La Gaule” beers. ” She is, I think, on her way. We will install it in our workshop in Charenton sur Cher.”
– Michael Benoit
This machine will be able to wash 2000 bottles per day. Many problems had to be solved to move the project forward: ” First there was the question of labels ” resumes Thomas Préault. ” They are not always easily removable. Fortunately, more and more printers today offer water-soluble labels. They are removed by soaking the bottles in water. We are also working on a computer system to manage the entire locker system. The bottles will be redirected to brewers or wine producers, within a radius of 150 km. Beyond that, it would no longer be interesting in ecological terms.”
– Michael Benoit
You have to invest in transport boxes, also buy a vehicle. Without forgetting the most visible for the customer: create a fundraising network empty bottles. A dozen points planned in the St-Amandois. Sylvain Lesage is confident: ” according to a study by Ademe, 88% of French people are in favor of the return of the deposit. A project valued at 50,000 euros. The kitty on Kisskissbankbank aims for 1500 euros by March 15. Ademe has already paid a grant of 11,000 euros.