top cx logo
cx logo
Explorearrow down
search icon

French town collects stale bread to make energy and fertiliser

Residents complained that people were using leftover bread to feed the birds, attracting rats, so they came up with a solution

Locals are encouraged to drop off unwanted bread in four bins located around Mulhouse Pic: Ville de Mulhouse – Christophe Schmitt

Residents in one neighbourhood have come up with a new way to reduce food waste – they collect their stale bread in dedicated bins and it is then used to create energy and fertiliser. 

Locals drop their leftover bread into one of four bins near their homes in Mulhouse, eastern France. It is collected and used, via a process of anaerobic digestion, to create gas, electricity and fertiliser. 

The idea originated from a conseil participatif (citizens’ assembly) in the Manufactures neighbourhood after locals noticed people throwing their stale bread to animals in the park, attracting rats and coypu. 

When the bins launched in July, the bread was initially distributed to a farmer and used to feed his animals but this proved difficult to manage. 

Deputy mayor of Mulhouse Florian Colom said: “There was quite a strict sorting phase. Only a third went to the farmer and it required a lot of time. 

“Now, we can process a larger quantity and only need to check there are no plastic bags. Before, mouldy bread was not kept but now we use all the bread.” 

Read more: US firm to build hard to treat plastic recycling plant in France

The need for efficiency is a result of demand. By mid-September, 6,600 litres of bread had been collected and local authorities are emptying the bins twice a week, instead of once, as originally planned. 

We have entire baguettes that haven’t been touched

The success has also shown the extent of food waste. “We have entire baguettes that haven’t been touched,” Mr Colom said. 

Read more: Supermarkets in France offer anti-waste measures to help shoppers save

David Malas, the conseil participatif’s point of contact, said he was surprised by the bins’ popularity. Now other neighbourhoods want part of the action. “Everybody wants their famous bread bin,” he said. 

Mr Colom said that while the current focus is on perfecting the existing system, the town has talked to the food-processing industry about potentially scaling up. “They have the capacity to extract sugar from the bread and reuse it. 

“If other places want to do this, we’re happy to discuss how it’s working out.” 

As for the city’s birds, “rest assured, there will always be a little nan or grandad to come and throw them bread”, Mr Malas said. “We still have plenty of birds in Mulhouse.”

Related links

How to recycle in France: Seven common questions answered

French MP proposes allowing used cooking oil to be legal car fuel

French town to become first in Europe to recycle used water

Resident or second-home owner in France?
Benefit from our daily digest of headlines and how-to's to help you make the most of life in France
By joining the newsletter, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy
See more popular articles
The Connexion Help Guides
featured helpguide
Income Tax in France 2023 (for 2022 income)*
Featured Help Guide
- Primarily aimed at Britons, covers pensions, rent, ISAs, shares, savings and interest - but also contains significant general information pertinent to readers of other nationalities - Overview of online declarations + step-by-step guide to the French printed forms - Includes updates given automatically after this year's site opened
Get news, views and information from France