LemonAide

France faces two seemingly separate challenges that LemonAid seeks to address together. Only half of all plastic bottles are not recycled after use, contributing to significant environmental waste and inefficiencies in the circular economy. Unemployment rates remain high, particularly in underprivileged areas where access to stable, meaningful work is limited.

These issues reflect broader systemic challenges: insufficient infrastructure for away-from-home recycling, and persistent social exclusion affecting individuals who are far removed from the job market.

The project develops an alternative collection network for PET and other recyclables: reverse-vending machines are installed in public spaces and supermarkets, for people to recycle their bottle in exchange for a coupon.

LemonAide is trying to ensure professional insertion at all levels of the company. They started with truck drivers and now aim to deploy this approach more broadly to reduce the gap between different types of jobs.

As part of the efforts, people seeking employment are trained in recycling industry-related skills (such as truck-driving, hefting, machine use and maintenance): they collect the waste from the machines, clean and maintain them, and then bring the waste to the Lemon Tri warehouse where they compact it into bales.

Through this system, Lemon Aide not only increases recycling outside the home but also offers professional pathways and social support for individuals facing long-term unemployment.