On the first day of Elafonisos Eco Week, focused on the theme of “Waste and Water Management,” Stéphane Pasquetti, Manager of the Waste Prevention and Recycling Division at the Société Monégasque d’Assainissement (SMA), presented Monaco’s leading practices in urban waste handling. His talk offered concrete examples of how a small but densely populated and tourism-intensive area can maintain high environmental standards through clear policies, education, and enforcement.
Stephane Pasquetti opened by outlining the three core missions of SMA: daily street cleaning, comprehensive waste collection, and energy recovery through incineration. He emphasized the need to follow the three Rs-Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, with a strong focus on reducing single-use plastics, especially in schools and businesses.
In Monaco, waste sorting is mandatory by law, supported by a color-coded bin system: grey for general waste, yellow for recyclable packaging, and green for glass. Glass waste is sent for recycling in Italy, while household packaging is processed nearby in Cannes. He stressed the importance of enforcement, explaining that bags of incorrectly sorted waste can be traced, and fines of €300 per bag are issued in collaboration with local police.
Reflecting on conditions observed in Elafonisos, Stephane Pasquetti urged the island to adopt clear sorting rules, visible and accessible sorting stations, and multilingual signage tailored to tourists. He noted that in Monaco, education is central to the waste strategy, with over 1,000 children engaged annually through school programs, interactive workshops, and hands-on activities. Children, he said, are key messengers of change, often driving better waste habits at home.
Beyond schools, Monaco’s companies and institutions receive free, customized training from SMA, fully funded by the government. Educational tools are adapted to each organization’s specific waste profile, ensuring relevance and long-term engagement.
Stephane Pasquetti also showcased how Monaco handles waste during large-scale international events like the Formula 1 Grand Prix, the Monaco Yacht Show, and the Monaco-Lect donation campaign, which collected 10 tons of clothes, toys, and books in 2024. These examples reflect Monaco’s strong logistics, political support, and strategic communication around sustainability.
He concluded by underlining that communication is key: green initiatives must be highly visible across digital platforms, public signage, and outreach campaigns. Thanks to a dedicated four-person education team, SMA reached over 3,600 individuals in 2024, proving that even in high-density and high-tourism contexts, impactful change is possible with consistent investment, strong policy, and community engagement.