Mission Verte

• Collection of Recyclables: With nearly 100 selective sorting deposit points across the island, Mission Verte facilitates the collection of recyclable waste from individuals and businesses. We collect and transport cardboard, paper, plastics, and aluminium cans (and used batteries at some sites) to local recycling companies and exporters. Thanks to our sponsors, we own four vans and employ nine people (drivers and assistants) to manage the logistics of recyclable waste collection. Our custom-designed containers meet high standards of image, functionality, and quality and are strategically placed in easily accessible public locations, such as supermarkets.
• Education: Mission Verte organises educational sessions for schools, social centres, businesses, and other organisations, tailored to the targeted audience and accommodating up to 30 participants per session. Key topics include human impact on the environment, depletion of natural resources, conservation of natural heritage, overconsumption, pollution, waste biodegradability, waste management, the three Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle), composting, individual responsibility, and practical eco-friendly actions in Mauritius.
• Composting: Approximately 60% of household waste is compostable. By composting, we reduce waste and produce high-quality compost for free. Composting is essential for our crops, which have been negatively affected by chemical fertilization. It is crucial to use kitchen and garden waste ecologically to enhance soil fertility and improve the quality of our plantations.
• Clean-Up: We regularly organise clean-up events with dozens of participants, targeting beaches and urban areas. These events are often held in collaboration with schools, students, associations, or company employees.
• Pedagogical FabLab - Freedom Plastic: For several years, we have operated a plastic recycling workshop in Labourdonnais, Mapou, allowing us to recycle small quantities of certain plastics into new objects while providing practical demonstrations of the recycling process. The workshop is open to visitors.
• In Development: Mon Rocher Centre - We are currently developing an educational and recycling centre at Mon Rocher, Beau Plan.

Beneficiaries: Since our inception, we have reached over 35,000 people through educational sessions. Indirect beneficiaries who use our sorting bins due to our actions are challenging to quantify. In 2024, we aim to reach 4,000 to 5,000 people annually through our educational sessions.

In early 2007, a group of hikers, noticing the large amount of waste littering their path, decided to take action. They began meeting regularly and organised the first collection points where interested individuals could bring their waste for recycling. Step by step, Mission Verte grew.

Here are some key milestones in our journey:

• 2007:
  • Launch of Mission Verte and our first sorting container.
• 2008:
  • 14 large recycling containers were financed with the help of the GEF Small Grants Programme of the United Nations Development Programme.
• 2009:
  • Collaboration with the Mauritius Telecom Foundation for the "I Recycle Mobiles and Batteries" project.
• 2011:
  • Acquisition of a van for the logistics and redistribution of recyclable waste from our containers. Two employees were hired to maintain this sustainable and continuous work.
• 2012:
  • Launch of an educational DVD to raise ecological awareness. Our primary goal is to educate as many Mauritians as possible (schools, employees, social centres, etc.) to understand and respond to the degradation of their country.
• 2013:
  • Launch of a pilot project on glass recycling. In-depth research was conducted on various glass recycling options, leading to the production of useful and durable value-added products.
• 2014:
  • Production of 14 new twin bins based on the 2013 design and development of partnerships for additional collection points.
  • Purchase of a second van in November 2014 to serve additional collection points.
  • Creation of an educational kit to enhance our educational sessions. The kit includes a guide on waste sorting, a bookmark, recycling bin stickers, a notebook, and posters.
  • Launch of a new website: missionverte.org.
• 2015:
  • Collaboration with Belle Verte Ltée and Platform Moris Lanvironman to organise a workshop with waste management and recycling stakeholders to find ways to work together for a more sustainable island.
  • Start of composting courses in partnership with Le Velo Vert in Curepipe.
• 2016:
  • Collaboration with the municipality of Curepipe to install new recycling bins.
• 2017:
  • Launch of an educational animated film to raise awareness among the Mauritian population about the issue of waste on beaches. Watch
• 2018:
  • Launch of a second educational animated film to raise awareness about plastic waste and recycling in Mauritius. Watch here.
• 2019:
  • Collaboration with Emtel for the ongoing and operational project of recycling batteries and mobile phones. 
• 2020:
  • Purchase of a third truck for the collection of recyclable waste.
  • Launch of the Freedom Plastic project, where plastic is recycled locally in a small workshop, with the participation of schools in Mapou. More details.
• 2021:
  • Launch of the "Pa Zet Plastik Dan Lamer" project to raise awareness about the threat of plastic reaching the coasts and the sea.
• 2022:
  • Launch of several projects with the support of The Coca-Cola Foundation to maximise the collection of PET bottles and raise public awareness.
  • Acquisition of a fourth truck.
  • Production of several awareness videos.
  • Launch of awareness and support projects for the collection of recyclable waste in the southeast region, sponsored by MOL Charitable Trust.
  • Support for agroecology projects through training and distribution of materials for beneficiaries of 10 Caritas centres, funded by the Canadian Fund for Local Initiatives.
• 2023:
  • Continued large-scale awareness and collection project with The Coca-Cola Foundation.
  • Initiation of the Mauritius Plastic Challenge project with awareness campaigns in five villages and innovative awareness actions, supported by the GEF Small Grants Programme of the United Nations Development Programme.
  • Management of nearly 100 collection sites.
  • Launch of a YouTube channel with about 25 awareness videos: Mission Verte YouTube and increased social media presence with Instagram and LinkedIn pages in addition to Facebook.
  • Website redesign.
• 2024:
  • Establishment of an educational and recycling centre at Mon Rocher, Beau Plan.
  • Continued support from MOL Charitable Trust for the southeast region.

Mission Verte is committed to raising awareness about the necessity of sustainable waste management. Our specific objectives include:

• Sensitising the population about the necessity of reducing, reusing, recycling, and composting waste.
• Efficiently operating sorting deposit points through the management and maintenance of nearly 100 sorting deposit points across the island, encouraging community participation in waste management.
• Educating the public by conducting environmental protection awareness sessions, aiming to benefit even more people beyond the 35,000 reached to date.
• Facilitating collaboration and act as a link between consumers, the private and public sectors, and recycling professionals to work together for a better environment.

Mission Verte has made substantial progress in promoting positive environmental practices and raising awareness about waste management. Please visit our website at https://missionverte.org for a detailed look at our achievements and ongoing projects.

Our main donors in recent years have been:

• MCB
• Emtel
• RT Knits
• The Coca-Cola Foundation
• MOL Charitable Trust
• Canadian Fund for Local Initiatives
• GEF Small Grants Programme of the United Nations Development Programme
• Phoenix Beverages
• Alteo
• ENL