The Lyon Metropolis signs a platform to protect the circular economy

"We believe in a productive, local, circular, and inclusive economy. An economy that creates activity and employment where people live. An economy that strengthens the resilience of territories and provides the ecological transition with the economic foundations it needs." On the occasion of the 3rd edition of the Metropolitan Days of the Social and Solidarity Economy (JMESS), the Lyon Metropolis, along with various stakeholders in the sector such as Emmaüs, ESS France, and Heureux Recyclage, signed a platform calling on the State to protect the territorial circular economy.

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In this column published on Tuesday, the signatories recall that since the Anti-Waste for a Circular Economy (AGEC) and Climate and Resilience laws, "local authorities have been able to demonstrate their ability to achieve the ambitions of ecological and inclusive transition" giving rise to "new economic models, sober, inclusive, and above all locally anchored." These approaches, which have become "major levers of economic development and sovereignty" , have since been undermined by decisions taken at the national level, they continue to write, "without consultation, and which directly impact territorial ecosystems that are nevertheless virtuous."

They add: "For example, tender procedures from certain eco-organizations, favoring the sole price criterion without an overall cost approach, are weakening socio-economic models that are nevertheless effective, and disrupting territorial ecosystems." The territorial circular economy would suffer nothing less than a "progressive dismantling" , considerably weakening the sector's sectors. "The consequences are serious in terms of jobs, integration, the possibility of integration pathways, and consistency with local policies supporting the SSE. Particularly in the most fragile territories for which this economy is structuring" , warns the Metropolis of Lyon.

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To last, the tools used by the circular economy must be recognized "as the pillars of an economy that respects living things and is a vector of social cohesion." In this sense, the signatories call in particular for "the involvement of local authorities and their networks in the ongoing discussions on a future plan dedicated to reuse," "respect for the waste management hierarchy enshrined in the AGEC law in all calls for tender, particularly those of eco-organizations," and "the effective payment of 5% of the forecast amount of eco-contributions to the reuse funds as provided for in the specifications of the eco-organizations, and management as close as possible to the territories."

They conclude: "It is time for the State to provide them with the framework and the means to continue their action."

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