Guadeloupe turns waste into resourcesCEFR B1
20 Nov 2025
Adapted from Olivia Losbar, Global Voices • CC BY 3.0
Photo by Fabrice Smet, Unsplash
ORDEC reports that Guadeloupe produced 346,720 tonnes of waste in 2023. Only a quarter of this total was recovered; the remaining 60 percent went to two non-hazardous storage facilities. Waste production has been stable since 2019, but local groups and authorities say recovery channels must improve.
Civic and creative initiatives are growing across the islands. At L’Admérane in Ilet Pérou, Capesterre-Belle-Eau, the association Le Nouveau Mode, led by Béatrice Souillet, runs sewing workshops, a thrift shop and upcycling services. The space accepts clothes for washing, sorting and resale or redesign, and it works with Orange Caraïbe. Souillet created the Cyrikaë brand and emphasizes the harm of fast and ultra-fast fashion.
Organisers of festivals are changing habits too, with awareness campaigns, reusable cups, fewer plastic bottles and more composting. Associations such as Mouvances Caraïbes coordinate education and event waste management, while the Regional Council seeks a zero-waste archipelago by 2035 and plans an energy recovery plant for 2028.
Difficult words
- waste — Unwanted materials or items that are discarded.
- resources — Things that can be used for a purpose.
- upcycling — Turning waste into something valuable.
- sustainable — Can be maintained without harming the environment.
- consume — To use up a resource or product.consumption
- campaigns — Planned actions to raise awareness or promote change.
- practices — Ways in which tasks are done or activities performed.
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- How can individuals contribute to reducing waste?
- What are the challenges of promoting sustainable practices?
- In what ways can art influence environmental awareness?
- Why is public awareness important for responsible consumption?
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