A study to understand the economic model of reuse centers
  • 11 February 2019

A study to understand the economic model of reuse centers

The Chambre Régionale de l'Économie Sociale et Solidaire de Bretagne (CRESS  Bretagne) has elaborated a study to understand the economic model of reuse centers.

There are 3 main categories of reuse centers co-exist: associations gathering only volunteers, associations employing people on ordinary employment contracts, and back-to-work organisations. What is at stake is the sustainability of work in associations employing people on ordinary employment contracts. In these organisations, sales represent roughly 75% of the global budget. A study carried out for the Atlantic Social Lab project delivers some ideas to improve their economic situation: 

  1. Give them access to land at moderate rates
  2. Expand their opening hours
  3. Finance the cost avoided for the waste management
  4. Study the collection system most adapted to the territory
  5. Set up a real sales strategy

Whatever will be the choices, the study also pointed out that reuse centers future is bound to the role local authorities might be able or want to give them in the development of circular economy.