SMA – David GAMBA, Waste Prevention and Recycling Officer
The Société Monégasque d’Assainissement (SMA), which has been present in the principality for over 80 years, is involved in the national energy transition. At the instigation of the granting authority represented by the Direction de l’Aménagement Urbain (D.A.U.), it provides three public service delegations:
- Cleaning roads, public spaces and bathing areas
- Waste collection
- Treatment of urban and industrial waste
37,000 tons of waste collected every year in the Principality of Monaco
Currently the SMA is working on the following problem: finding a sustainable solution to avoid the pollution of waste at sea. Indeed, a lot of waste ends up in the water, especially during the Principality’s major events.
Most waste from yachts anchored in the bay of Monaco is not sorted for recycling, although it is mandatory in Monaco. It is also forbidden to dump waste directly into the sea.
(MARPOL Convention 73/78, Annex V, Rules 2, 3, 6 & 10 / Art. L. 223-1 of Monaco’s Code de la Mer).
Although actions have been taken over the last decade (eight recycling agents deployed during the Monaco Yacht Show and successful communication with our services), improvements need to be made.
SMA is examining the possibility of developing a “Maritime Waste & Go” solution to collect and sort this source of waste for recycling.