World Clean Up Day 2024 marked an exceptional year for Reunion Island, confirming its unwavering commitment to the fight against litter. This year, with a total of 65 cleaning actions organized on the island (compared to 58 in 2021), 12,000 volunteers mobilized to rid Reunion Island of its waste and raise awareness of the importance of preserving the environment. Together, these volunteers collected 37 tonnes of waste, making Réunion a model for all French regions.
With a particularly involved population, Reunion is well ahead in number of participants per inhabitant among all regions of France, and third among French departments in total number of participants.
The exceptional mobilization of Reunion residents was praised several times during the national restitution webinar, making the island shine as an inspiring example of citizen engagement. Notably, two-thirds of the organizers of cleaning actions were women, testifying to the notable involvement of Reunion Island women in this environmental cause. “The solidarity and commitment of the Reunion Islanders to preserve their island are exemplary and inspire all of France,” underlines Bernard Padé, ambassador for Clean Up Day in Reunion.
The World Clean Up Day actions in Reunion also saw the support of several municipalities, such as Saint-Paul which provided gloves and trash bags to participants.
However, several organizers reported that some town halls were trying to take ownership of citizen initiatives or were not providing the expected support. However, all the town halls on the island had been contacted in advance to promote and support the event.
Thanks to the commitment of children, families and associations like Granddir, the actions have had a real impact, with concrete results. During an initiative in La Possession, the children picked up one piece of trash on average for every meter they traveled.
Furthermore, an unprecedented collection was carried out by OTI Ouest, which combined waste collection with an operation to combat invasive species, with the assistance of specialists in the field.
This year, an impressive 95,000 cigarette butts were collected, surpassing last year's figure of 90,000 cigarette butts. A notable initiative was that of the beach restaurant “Les balançoires”, which offered a cocktail for two in exchange for a 1L bottle filled with cigarette butts. Strengthened collaboration is planned for next year with the company Mégot Réunion to facilitate the recycling of this waste.
Building on this mobilization, the organizers are considering several improvements for World Clean Up Day 2025:
• Partnership with a DIY brand to provide gloves and equipment to participants,
• Official anthem in collaboration with a popular Reunion singer to motivate volunteers,
• Supply of recycled wooden clips made by educational establishments,
• Distribution of reusable soubiks to replace plastic bags,
• Search for funding from local companies to support the communication of the event,
• Operation “100 km of clean LiPoral” in collaboration with the OMAR association,
• Joint action by all cleaning associations on the island to strengthen the visibility of this cause throughout the year.
For 2025, a key objective has been defined: to encourage 100% of the island's municipalities to act together for an ever cleaner and more united Réunion.
The World Clean Up Day in Reunion continues to prove the collective commitment of Reunion Islanders to the preservation of their island and their environment, thus consolidating its leading role among the overseas departments and in France. The very positive feedback from families and children who participate each year confirms the success of this mobilization, and the desire of Reunion Island to continue these efforts for a healthier and more sustainable environment.
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