World Recycling Day: It's Up to All of Us to Protect Our Island, Says Dr. Arvin Boolell
On Wednesday, March 18, PIM Recycling, a key player in plastic recycling in Mauritius, celebrated World Recycling Day. For the second edition of this event, the company aimed to take it a step further by highlighting those who contribute to the circular economy.
In collaboration with WeCycle, which focuses on recycling paper and cardboard, PIM launched "What We Save," a mini-film that sheds light on a thriving sector.
The idea behind it is to honor an ecosystem that includes both big and small players, showcasing that the circular economy is already in motion in Mauritius.
The film was unveiled at Odysseo on Wednesday, March 18, in the presence of Dr. Arvin Boolell, Minister of Agro-industry, Food Security, Blue Economy, and Fisheries, Fabrice David, Deputy Minister, and several stakeholders engaged in the sector.
Screening: The City Cigarette Butt
During the event, the film "The City Cigarette Butt" was screened. This educational short film produced by the French NGO Gestes Propres traces the journey of a discarded cigarette butt from the city to the ocean, highlighting the often invisible impacts of small waste on marine ecosystems.
Through its immersive format, the film emphasizes an essential reality: even the most trivial actions can have lasting consequences.
"The image of a cigarette butt can be replaced by any other image of waste because what we see remains true! And the responsibility we have when we hold waste in our hands is even more important as an island nation," emphasized Caroline Rault.
"What We Save": A Portrait of a Dynamic Sector
With "What We Save," PIM Recycling and WeCycle offer an immersion into a dynamic ecosystem. The film showcases several local initiatives such as La Déchetèque, Hé-Co, and The Repair Collective, as well as a constellation of players who, at different scales, are transforming waste into resources.
While recycling is often at the heart of discussions, it only represents part of the equation. The circular economy relies on a much broader system involving a variety of complementary actors.
In just a few minutes, this film encapsulates the dynamics of this innovative sector that creates local value with a strong message: the circular economy is indeed in motion in Mauritius.
A Mobilization More Necessary Than Ever
Beyond raising awareness, this World Recycling Day is also a call to action. In Mauritius, where a significant portion of waste is still buried, the potential for recovery remains considerable. However, realizing this potential requires collective mobilization.
"The health of our ocean, food security, and the promise of our blue economy—all of this is at stake here, in what we do collectively," reminded Eric Corson. He called for stronger commitment from authorities: "We are now waiting for the framework and the green light. Together, we represent an ecosystem that needs robust institutional support to fully develop."
But to progress, it is also essential to recognize the strides made and encourage the actors who commit daily.
In this dynamic, Yannick Merven, General Manager of WeCycle, praised those who nurture the Mauritian circular economy ecosystem: "We operate in a sector that demands significant commitment, perseverance, and collaboration, as transforming a waste management system takes time and the involvement of many actors. Therefore, I want to take this opportunity to thank and congratulate all stakeholders engaged in this transition."
And Eric Corson added: "We have brought together small artisans, collectors, recyclers, and industry players—a whole committed ecosystem. Actors who have made a choice—not always the easiest, not always the most profitable—but the right one. Together, we represent a strong ecosystem."
Odysseo: A Meaningful Choice
The choice of Odysseo as the venue for this event is significant. In this place dedicated to discovering the marine world, environmental issues take on a concrete dimension. It reminds us of what these initiatives seek to preserve: the oceans, biodiversity, and the broader balance of our environment.
"We chose this location so that we never lose sight of what we seek to protect," explained Eric Corson.
Dr. Arvin Boolell, Minister of Agro-industry, Food Security, Blue Economy, and Fisheries: "This is a very good initiative. Here, there have been exchanges of ideas, but beyond sharing, the actors are taking action and sending strong signals regarding the circular economy. It is essential that everyone participates, and we are all fully on board. It is up to all of us to protect our island. We are an island nation in motion."
Eric Corson, Managing Director of PIM Limited: "Sorting is not something that is mandated; it is structured, organized, learned, and encouraged. Unfortunately, incivility is a daily reality. We expect the authorities to address these issues decisively. We need resources and structures allocated as soon as possible. The act of sorting must replace the act of throwing away."
Yannick Merven, General Manager of WeCycle: "We know the government is currently working on several important measures around sorting and waste recovery, including the vision to transform our waste "from waste to wealth." We look forward to seeing these announcements turn into concrete actions. With the right public policies and an appropriate regulatory framework, the circular economy can become a true new pillar of the Mauritian economy."
Caroline Rault, President of Odysseo Foundation and Chair of the Circular Economy Subcommittee of the Sustainable & Inclusive Growth Commission of Business Mauritius: "It is to emphasize this essential connection between land and sea that we organized this World Recycling Day at Odysseo today. Together with the Odysseo Foundation, we further enhance awareness around these issues. Every piece of waste we hold is a true citizen's decision—and on an island, this responsibility is even greater. Recycling is about protecting our oceans. Let’s commit, recommit, and overcommit, as citizens, government, parastatal institutions, and the private sector, to apply the principles of the circular economy for our island."
Kevin Ramkaloan, CEO of Business Mauritius: "To accelerate the transition, we need clear, progressive, and predictable regulatory frameworks, coherent economic incentives, whether through green financing, fiscal mechanisms, or public procurement policies favoring circular solutions. We also need discipline in execution. Mauritius adopted a national roadmap in 2023. The priority now is implementation, sector by sector, value chain by value chain. Lastly, there needs to be a general mindset change. The circular economy is not limited to recycling. It involves rethinking business models, stimulating innovation, and integrating sustainability as a performance lever. For a small island state like Mauritius, circularity is strategic. It strengthens our resource security, reduces our environmental pressure, enhances our attractiveness to international investors, and positions Mauritius in increasingly demanding global value chains."
