La Poudrière - BELGIUM

Transcription

1 La Poudrière - BELGIUM Type of structure: Community Number of people: 50 residents (including couples and children) and 20 volunteers. Year the group was founded: 1958 Leader: Yves Dosimont Environmental issues contact person(s): Yves Dosimont Travel short distances by bicycle Group activities: Collection / sorting / selling Year when the group started its environmental practices: 1990 Environmental initiative leader in the group s day-to-day life: Leaders and activist / aware companions. CONTEXT La Poudrière is split over five sites: Brussels (25 people), Péruwelz (25 people), Rummen (six people), Vilvorde (three people) and Anderlecht (work premises with no companions, WEEE sorting and storage, and clearance of the Brussels store). The families have flats with private bathrooms and a kitchen, while single residents have their own rooms but share bathrooms and kitchens. The community has lots of common areas, including TV rooms, a games room and a computer room. The main building at Peruwelz NB: All the information is about the Peruwelz site from this point. Year in which each building was built: Late 19 th century, purchased by the community in Floor space: 4.5ha. A garden of 3ha. Means of transport used by the group: bicycle, truck, car and scooter at the work premises to move from workshop to workshop. Insulation: Double glazing and roof insulation in the accommodation areas. The walls of the work premises are made of concrete and the temperature is not regulated. 1

2 Type of heating: Salvaged wood-fired boiler supplying 50% of the living accommodation s heating needs, a solar panel to heat the water. Heating oil is used as a replacement in periods when there is little sunlight (8,000l heating oil / year). Two isolated chalets have electric heating systems. The systems are maintained by a private sector company. owner Specific town / region / country context In Belgium, there is no recognition at all of the companions status. The members of the community are considered to be volunteers and do not have any social rights as such. Group-specific context People join La Poudrière primarily because they wish to live in a community and want to live with other people in the long term. This is really key to how the community functions. Some people join the community because they have made a life choice. Discussions with each community member mainly highlight the fact that La Poudrière is a sort of social laboratory, a long-term life plan, and much more than an inclusion company. There is a balance between the people who are staying for a long time and those who come to live at the community because they experience difficulties at a given moment of their lives. This blend creates an atmosphere and a special kind of balance. THE EMMAUS MOVEMENT: A WELL-ESTABLISHED STAKEHOLDER IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL SECTOR DUE TO ITS ACTIVITIES Collection / sorting / selling activity The community collects goods from households or people bring donations to the premises. Types of materials and items collected are varied and include furniture, crockery, ornaments, clothing, fires, cookers, mattresses, beds, domestic appliances, toys and books. Quantity collected each month: 283 tonnes in 2010, 73% was reused, 20% was recycled and placed in skips (mattress wood, cardboard and paper, metal, wool) and 7% was burned in an incinerator (collected in a hired container and emptied once a month at the municipal waste reception centre in return for payment). Sorting : Clothes that cannot be sold in shops are split into two: items that are still useable and / or are sold by the kilo, and those that are in too bad a state. The latter are carefully sorted so that they can be recycled and reused for other purposes (AsBL Terre). At the Anderlecht site, La Poudrière recovers and sorts WEEE and then sells them to Récupel, which specialises in processing this type of waste. 2

3 Sale Opening hours of the two second-hand stores: Peruwelz (Wednesday 10am 12pm and Friday 4 7pm). Brussels (Monday 2-5pm, Tuesday 2-8pm, Friday 2-5pm). We have signed a contract with our region s inter-municipal utility company (IPALLE). The contract officially acknowledges that we are a social enterprise whose activity helps prevent waste being produced and that we are an organisation that supports the most deprived people (we sell goods at affordable prices). In return, we have to comply with a certain number of obligations: traceability of products entering / leaving (constantly weighing the quantities brought to the store), collection obligation in the inter-municipal region shared with two other companies, and spatial distribution with regard to floor space and window size. In return, we enjoy a number of benefits, including advertising in IPALLE brochures. The region pays a financial contribution for each tonne of items and materials reused or resold (this does not cover items sent to the dump or Récupel, which encourages us to reuse as much as possible). The community really thinks about how to reduce the amount we throw away and our ethos is based on reuse, with this particularly being the case for wooden furniture (several companions are heavily involved in renovating, repairing and stripping furniture. They dismantle anything that cannot be repaired so that the wood can be used to fire the boiler etc. There is a real commitment to reducing the quantity of waste produced.) However, the lack of companions in the community means that some workshops are closed most of the time and that some items cannot always be tested. General public environmental awareness raising work Open days during which discussions focus on life plans and presenting the community s activities / practices. Environmental workshops are run with the help of the Ressources network, which is launching a Garden Waste campaign in May Suppertime lectures/debates are organised with local farmers on the issue of Having an ecological garden. Sustainable development techniques are presented based on three pillars (economy, social aspects and the environment). We do this in an attempt to fight against permanent excessive growth. Participated in European Waste Reduction Week. Participated in Sustainable Development Day. Participated in Recovery Day. The public are regular customers and / or aware of these issues. The Ressources network does a lot of media work, which helps to raise the general public s awareness. 3

4 Our public is growing all the time: a real thirst for information / training is emerging and a network of sustainable development stakeholders is being created at different levels. Publication of an internal monthly magazine, which incorporates and publishes articles on these ecological, social and economic issues. Publication of an external outreach magazine. Community information brochure containing opening hours. Numerous articles in the print media and TV reports ( Website: created 10 years ago for internal and external communications. Political lobbying: Some members of the community have independently joined political parties and are members of area committees and action committees. The community lobbies about asylum through Emmaus, the Ressources network and the CIRE network (e.g. placing a fridge in the square in Brussels to raise awareness about frozen asylum applications). Lobbying about environmental issues through the Ressources network (regulation, social recognition for the activity, awareness raising). The community participates in occasional lobbying initiatives (offering personal accounts at debates and running themed workshops, for example) when requested. 4

5 ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY PRACTICES CHAMPIONED ON A DAILY BASIS AND THAT CONTRIBUTE TO OUR IDEAL OF COMMUNITY LIVING. Waste Energy Waste sorting (same as the in-store sorting: metals, non-ferrous metals, textiles, glass, paper, cardboard, WEEE, cork, plastic bottles, light metal packaging and drink cartons, organic waste). The waste is sorted in a miniwaste shed opposite the community room by each of the members of the community. A rota is in place for collections. Limiting the use of packaging. Compost Our ewes and goats eat the peelings. Waste is reused on request and proves very popular (art and producing bags). For example, books were reused to make shelves and plates were broken up to make mosaics. These items are reused by artists, members of the public and schools. - Supporting people on a daily basis is a responsibility. Monitoring the community s energy consumption (water, gas and electricity) and the percentage of materials being recycled (70% minimum requirement to be officially recognised by the Wallonia Region). The community s solar panels produce energy to heat the water and the surplus is sold back to the grid (1/5 of our energy in 2009, 65,000 with the regional incentive, replaced one of the motors, no maintenance required). The Peruwelz wood-burning boiler uses unwanted wood from the furniture restoration activity to heat the main building. Everyday steps to reduce energy consumption. Involved in a local citizen wind turbine to indirectly cover the region s energy needs. Low energy light bulbs (common room). + The solar panels do not require any maintenance. - Difficult to introduce everyday steps to cut energy consumption. 5

6 Transport Car sharing and journey optimisation. Travel short distances on foot or by scooter or bicycle. Diesel vehicles (two nine-seater pick-up trucks for car sharing, three cars and three trucks). Housing Salvaged materials are included in building quotes and condition our choice of builder. Living accommodation is insulated (roof insulation and double glazing). The latest innovation (2011) is the insulation of the bedrooms (roof). Food Organic cleaning products used / products produced by community members (community produced lavender oil). Rainwater is collected (to clean items in the store and for watering). One well is in service for watering and washing the vehicles and three more need to be brought back into use. Water consumption is measured and the statistics are presented at meetings. Regular steps taken to reduce water consumption (daily reminders and at the weekly community meetings). Semi-industrial washing machine. Spring water available for drinking. Dry toilets outside. Water Organic garden (lettuce, herbs, potatoes and corn all grown). One to two people work in the garden every day and there is a rota for the rest. No fertilisers used. Several community members are vegetarians. Local produce (pork and vegetables apples, cherries, strawberries, tomatoes, lettuce) mainly from Rumen Farm or local farmers. Some of the food bought is organic. Seasonal produce, the community breeds poultry, pigs and sheep (two pigs, 15 ewes and 50 chickens). - Organic produce costs more than nonorganic produce from traditional farms. Food provenance also depends on the cooks and the availability of the required ingredients. Purchase of consumables Purchase of recycled paper Repair of worn objects Steps are taken to avoid waste 6

7 Group environmental awareness raising Environmental issues have been very important for the community for a number of years. Although in the past there were various attempts to address these issues, little progress was made, because the cultural context of the 1980s was not necessarily conducive to reinforcing a dynamic of this kind. Furthermore, for a very long time human beings were the priority, whatever the possible energy or ecological cost. Things may not have been easy, but they are properly discussed, both in everyday life in the community, where people debate these issues, and in the leaders meetings held roughly once a month. Society itself has also driven forward a generalised environmental awareness raising phenomenon and has encouraged increased awareness, for example by offering incentives. Within the community environment, becoming aware of the environment was a several stage process, with people who were up to speed introducing numerous debates and discussions on the issues in everyday life. As part of this drive, a Belgian proponent of degrowth (Ezio Gambin, Friends of the Earth) came to deliver a presentation, which received a mixed reception. Some people thought it was too vague, while others thought it was quite interesting. However, awareness varies between the members of La Poudrière, even if it seems to be an issue that is of increasing interest to people. The companions say that it is becoming an important issue and they are thinking about it. Some companions say that they are not well versed in this area, but they are gradually taking on board these issues. Despite it all, some think that it is more of an issue for the leaders and does not really affect other community members. As time goes by, an atmosphere of reflection and debates on these issues is being created. There is a need to have reference points so that things can be done progressively. Meals times are very important in this area, as they are a chance for discussion, debate and socialising. Decision-making is as democratic as possible; everything is discussed in the collective meetings, at numerous debates and discussions. We have a real desire to create a shared long-term life plan. Attending meetings is therefore very important and is compulsory for some types of meeting. An initiative that helped raise everyone s awareness and proved very popular with the companions was the canal boat cruise during the 2010 community holiday. We were able to demonstrate that you do not need to travel far to have a good holiday, with this helping to promote all things local, while using little energy. The canal boat holiday was both a chance to socialise and discover, as well as a way of raising awareness. NETWORKS AND PARTNERSHIPS La Poudrière is a member of the Ressources network, which promotes the social and solidarity economy. Agreement with Récupel to treat sorted WEEE, in partnership with Oxfam, the Salvation Army and Les Petits Riens. Some companions are members of the Belgian Green party and stood for election at the local elections. 7

8 DEVELOPMENT PROSPECTS AND PLANNED ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVES For environmental activities 2012: construction of a 300m² low-energy building (new workshop, laundry and two bedrooms). A paid energy audit is being carried out to choose the best energy solution (collecting rainwater, low-energy and low water consumption washing machines, linking of heating appliances). For environmental practices Adapt our properties to the needs of our members: sale of two unused buildings. Focus on insulation when renovating old buildings, such as the Anderlecht building (wood wool and cellulose). Create a community garden at Péruwelz. Plans to build a new low-energy building. SHARING YOUR EXPERIENCE (interview with Julio de la Granja, leader, 19 March 2010, and Yves Dosimont, the Péruwelz leader, Thursday 5 May 2011) What would you like to share with the other groups? Local solutions for global disorder. We must focus on local concerns in order to act and contribute to a form of utopia for today s world. Mode of production based mechanisms should be stopped, we must become aware that small-scale practices have an impact on these mechanisms and must be carried out every day. What practical advice can you offer? I would say that it is vital to share experience. The weekly meetings and other gatherings fuel people s personal commitment and get things moving. What pitfalls need to be avoided? Emmaus needs to be careful: sustainable development / environment should not be used as a communications tool, but as a real opportunity to reflect, an issue and a chance to share experience. Neither should we conceal the inherent difficulties, we should not bury our heads in the sand: we need to come to terms with it. What have been the benefits of these environmental practices / activities for your group? These environmental activities / practices have enabled everyone to start thinking about the issues surrounding sharing the solidarity economy and the environment and to ask themselves the question What is my stance with regard to these issues? This has helped motivate us in the right way. We are a testament to a social change for the general public who are really wondering about these environmental issues. 8

9 Do you think that Emmaus has an environmental role to play? Emmaus has been actively involved in sustainable development for 60 years. However, we should not content ourselves with the communication opportunities offered by recycling and reuse. We should not limit ourselves to that. We need to reflect upon the efforts that can be made in our particular lifestyles. Has Emmaus not now become an overly large company? Isn t sustainable development simply another way of boosting this development? That is why it is interesting that we have decided to work on degrowth because degrowth is forcing us to break with that rationale. We need to find ways of making people aware. However, we need to be careful because it is not always easy and can be a source of conflict. How do we work out our priorities? Is it about helping human beings, promoting social ideals or respecting the environment? It is not always easy to forge a link between the two and I am speaking from experience in this case. Do you think that Emmaus has a role to play in raising the awareness of the general public? Emmaus should raise the awareness of store customers about recycling and lead by example in the groups (responsible consumption and respecting the environment) because the public is not always aware and our activity gives us a starting point. Our practices are meaningful to them. What common basis would you define for the Movement for environmental issues? This basis should combine reflection / action at Movement level (resource people and having indicators) and local involvement so that each group implements this thinking in its activities. We must put a lot of effort into being committed, taking action, raising awareness and lobbying. Has the companions environmental awareness grown? (Any concrete examples?) The companions now develop innovative ideas. However, environmental action requires maturity on the part of companions, leaders and society. 9