How to convince at the top of the State, when one has small means? Laura Châtel, former head of advocacy for Zero Waste France, has her own idea on the question: “By asserting our expertise”, she answers quite simply. Without us necessarily knowing it, this civic association for the protection of the environment, which intends to reduce waste, played a decisive role in the Anti-waste bill for a circular economy (Agec). “They sent us emails, offered meetings, recalls LREM deputy Vincent Thiébaut. It is not surprising that the Zero Waste association (“no waste”) is mobilizing against waste … This text , it was kind of their baby.”
It’s true. To defend its cause, Zero Waste has done what all interest representatives do: influence. By participating very early, from 2018, in the major citizen consultation on the circular economy launched by the executive. The opportunity to spread its ideas quietly… The association is also mentioned in the roadmap of “50 measures for a 100% circular economy” which was born from these first exchanges. Its director, Flore Berlingen, challenges citizens there, encouraging them to “question our consumption habits”. This classic lobbying then moves to Parliament, where the NGO highlights its experience in the field. “Their local branches guarantee seriousness, testifies LREM MP Laurence Maillart-Méhaignerie. They have local roots.” With a reputation for being “realistic” in the family of environmental activists, Zero Waste pushes unexpected doors. “Unlike many NGOs which focus their action on elected environmentalists or rebellious France, they have chosen to target deputies from the majority or Republicans”, observes Guilhem Isaac Georges, former political adviser to the ministry. of the environment.
The Zero Waste teams are also struggling to facilitate the work of the deputies… not to say chew them up, by delivering them turnkey pre-drafted amendments. “In an ideal world, they should write all the legal texts. In reality, parliamentarians and their teams are overworked, justifies Moïra Tourneur, current Zero Waste advocacy manager. We are therefore always thinking of attaching a few amendments to the sales pitch we send them.” Texts often taken up as such by the deputies, who then take care to point out the contribution of the NGO – which was done in particular by the one who was not yet Minister of Ecology, Barbara Pompili. As president of the Sustainable Development Committee at the National Assembly, she had tabled 18 amendments worked with associations during the examination of the Agec bill. Including 13 with Zero Waste. Several of them were adopted at first reading, such as those aimed at “setting a national objective for reuse and packaging” or even “stopping the provision of disposable plastic toys”.
Rewarding communication
The Zero Waste method is effective. She is also appreciated. “Unlike other NGOs with sometimes unrealizable pleas, this organization knows how to be pragmatic. It accepts that we do not take up each element of its text and be in co-construction”, deciphers Laurence Maillart-Méhaignerie. Like other sectoral associations, Zero Waste is seen as an actor with whom it is possible to discuss. Same positive feedback in the Senate, where the organization rolled out an identical strategy to accompany the anti-waste text. On its site, it regularly analyzes the news related to the Agec law, distributing the bad points, but also the “advances to be highlighted”. Balanced communication that puts its interlocutors in a good mood. “A press release from an NGO, even if it is not 100% positive, is always rewarding for politicians,” recognizes David Nguyen, former communications adviser to Barbara Pompili.
But Zero Waste activism does not stop at the gates of Parliament. Subsequently, its representatives also participated in meetings at the Ministry of Ecological Transition to influence the decrees implementing the Agec law. That’s good: as Barbara Pompili had just taken up her new position there, they had an attentive ear… “Zero Waste is one of the NGOs with which we can conclude concrete deals”, says David Nguyen. Like the one that made it possible to postpone the entry into force of the ban on disposable tableware in fast-food restaurants to 2023. A provision that she will not fail to comment on and monitor in one of her next progress reports on changes in the law. In the meantime, his teams are already mobilizing for other fights. In their sights, the finance bill, which must be discussed this fall. “The argument is already ready,” smiles Moïra Tourneur.