Recycling and recovery are no longer the only watchwords of Suez in Reunion. The Trois-Frères eco-park integrates the protection of the environment and biodiversity into its performance model.
“We must take into consideration the remarkable fauna and flora of Reunion Island in order to integrate this site as best as possible into its natural environment.. » Cédrik Faye, Suez Réunion Processing Service Center manager, summarizes the environmental policy implemented by the major operator of the local circular economy on its Trois-Frères site in Sainte-Suzanne. Suez has signed two agreements, one with the SEOR for the protection of birds, the other with the Mascarins Botanical Conservatory for the grassing of the Sainte-Suzanne landfill and waste storage site, reached end of life. With this extra string to his bow, Suez asserts itself as a complete player in sustainable development in all its dimensions. Flagship of the ecopole, the Inovest recovery unit recycles 72% of ordinary household and industrial waste (BACK) that she receives (170,000 tonnes per year), an unrivaled performance rate in France and Europe. At the origin of the site, the landfill and waste storage center in the north and east of Reunion Island has reached saturation point. Its current extension is only provisional (until 2027). Eventually, a small Albioma thermal power plant will exploit recovered solid fuel (CSR) designed and produced by Inovest from DIBs. This multi-sector configuration is unique. Especially since this set is joined by a wastewater treatment plant with cutting-edge filtration technology. (reverse osmosis), a photovoltaic farm (operated by Albioma) and an electricity production unit from biogas emitted by stored waste.
Protection of papangues, petrels and shearwaters
“They are passionate. We learned a lot with them”, declared, about SEOR volunteers, Cédrik Faye. Suez calls on the Reunion ornithological association to safeguard protected bird species. Three pairs of papangues nest around the Trois-Frères eco-park. On the other hand, the landfill operating beyond 6 p.m., winter, part of the work is done using artificial light. Motivated by urgency, the current work to extend the landfill and waste storage center also continues at night. But Barau’s petrels and shearwaters are disoriented by artificial lighting. Particularly young ones during the fledging period (from April 8 to May 4 this year for young petrels). With SEOR, Suez agents and subcontractor teams working on the site, learned how to recover lost birds. All lighting in the eco-pole and night-time work is now directed towards the ground.
Landfill returns to nature
With grassing, a new page in the history of the landfill and waste storage site in the north and east of the island begins. The site at the end of its life will reintegrate the landscape of Sainte-Suzanne. Like all activities linked to the elimination and recovery of waste, this final redevelopment is carried out within a very strict regulatory framework. Following the project impact study, produced by the Biotope Indian Ocean agency, Suez called on the expertise of the Mascarins Botanical Conservatory for everything relating to revegetation. Only endemic species will be planted, and those of the environment of Sainte-Suzanne preferably. A plastic cover ensures the watertightness of the waste bins. It is covered with a blanket of earth. Sowing technique for large green spaces, turfing under hydraulic pressure provides results within 22 days and ensures better adhesion of the turf to the soil, “which is essential for the stability of the terrain in an area as rainy as Sainte-Suzanne”, underlines Cédrik Faye. The opinion of the Botanical Conservatory is requested before, but also after work. 20,000 m2 have already been grassed in 2020. 60,000 m2 will be this year and 20,000 more next year. Or 10 hectares in total. The lockers of the current extension will in turn be grassed after their closure, completing what will then be the largest green space created by the hand of man in Reunion Island.
