In a world where civic engagement and sustainable development play a prominent role, La Brède, a charming town in Gironde, has distinguished itself. In March 2025, the city was honored with an award from Orange, recognizing its involvement in the Collect’Mobile challenge. A beautiful story that shows how a simple initiative can generate real benefits for the community and the environment. Discover with us how La Brède mobilized its residents to shine with solidarity and innovation, while contributing to the protection of our planet.
La Brède and its civic engagement: a dynamic and innovative town
La Brède, located near Bordeaux, is much more than a tranquil town in Gironde. It is a place where innovative projects abound and where citizen participation is at the heart of the actions taken. In 2024, the municipality was proud to take part in the Collect’Mobile initiative, a campaign to collect used mobile phones that raised awareness among residents about the importance of recycling. To learn more about this commitment, let’s delve into the details of this municipal challenge.
The Collect’Mobile challenge: towards a smart city
The Collect’Mobile initiative, orchestrated by Orange with the support of municipalities, aimed to encourage the recycling of used mobile phones. By participating in this challenge, La Brède demonstrated its commitment to the values of solidarity and social cohesion. But what truly motivated this mobilization? Here are some key reasons:
- 🌍 Environmental awareness: The challenge helped educate citizens on the environmental impact of electronic waste.
- 📱 Efficient collection: Thanks to strategically chosen collection points at the town hall and school, residents easily contributed to this initiative.
- 🤝 Social cohesion: Even the youngest were involved, creating a sense of community around a common cause.
The results of the collection: a victory for La Brède
The efforts of La Brède’s citizens paid off, allowing the town to rank third in the challenge, with approximately 60 kg of mobile phones collected. These devices have a story, and their recycling has paved the way for a second life. Here is an overview of the results:
| Ranking | City | Weight collected (kg) | Devices collected |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | City A | 80 | 400 |
| 2 | City B | 70 | 350 |
| 3 | La Brède | 60 | 300 |
Recycling: a commitment to sustainable development
La Brède does not just mobilize its citizens around symbolic actions. Indeed, this commitment is fully embedded in a sustainable development dynamic. The recycling of used mobile phones has been entrusted to Les Ateliers du Bocage, a social enterprise that creates jobs for individuals distant from the job market. This partnership demonstrates how much the town and the company Orange share the same values of innovation and solidarity.
The benefits of recycling for the community
Participating in a challenge like Collect’Mobile has many advantages for towns and their residents. Let’s take a closer look at the benefits for La Brède:
- 🔄 Waste reduction: Recycling mobile phones helps reduce the quantity of electronic waste sent to landfills.
- 💼 Job creation: By working with organizations like Les Ateliers du Bocage, the town supports professional integration.
- 💡 Social innovation: The device reuse model demonstrates that ecological solutions can also be economic.
The mayor and citizens’ reaction
The mayor, Michel Dufranc, expressed his pride in the mobilization of residents and the symbolic award given by Orange: a ginkgo biloba tree planted at the entrance of the school. This gesture is more than just a tree; it is a representation of collective commitment for the future. The citizens of La Brède welcomed this news with enthusiasm, thus demonstrating their belonging to an active and supportive community.
Initiatives to follow to inspire other towns
La Brède has proven that small towns have a say in the larger conversation about sustainable development and innovation. Its example can serve as a model for other towns wanting to encourage citizen participation. But how could other municipalities replicate such success? Let’s explore possible avenues.
How to engage citizens in sustainable projects?
It is possible to draw inspiring ideas from La Brède’s example to encourage citizen engagement through sustainable development. Here are some suggestions:
- 💬 Awareness workshops: Organize educational sessions on recycling and environmental impact.
- 🏆 Community challenges: Implement similar challenges to stimulate friendly competition and strengthen bonds between citizens.
- 🌱 Community gardens: Create green spaces where residents can gather and cultivate together.
The role of businesses in social innovation
Businesses, like Orange, have a crucial role to play in creating links between communities and citizens. Their involvement in projects like Collect’Mobile amplifies the impact of local initiatives. Here are some collaboration opportunities:
| Action | Role of the company | Expected impact |
|---|---|---|
| Local partnerships | Financial support for community projects | Enhancement of citizen engagement |
| Awareness programs | Offer training on sustainable development | Citizen education |
| Fundraising events | Organize events to support local initiatives | Increase available resources |
Conclusion: the path to a better future
As La Brède looks towards the future, it embodies a model to follow for other towns seeking sustainable development and citizen engagement. With bold projects and a motivated population, the town is on the path to a true transformation. The Collect’Mobile challenge is just one step on this path of solidarity and innovation. Through these actions, it proves that every small gesture counts and that social cohesion is the key to building smart and sustainable cities.
FAQ
- What is the origin of the Collect’Mobile challenge? This challenge was launched by Orange in partnership with local stakeholders to encourage the recycling of used mobile phones and raise awareness of the environmental impact.
- How can towns participate in this type of challenge? Interested municipalities can contact Orange and local associations to participate in similar projects.
- What are the impacts of recycling used mobile phones on the environment? Recycling helps reduce pollution, decrease electronic waste, and promote a circular economy by giving devices a second life.
- How can businesses help in municipal projects? They can provide funding, support educational programs, or partner with local communities to enhance local engagement.
- Why is citizen participation essential? It creates cohesion within the community, strengthens social ties, and encourages residents to act for the common good.
