As part of the Specialized Advanced Master in Maritime Project Management, a team of 4 students is working on an expanded polystyrene recycling project in Brittany for Les Recycleurs Bretons. An exciting project in which they are able to harness a variety of skills in project management, marketing, economics and more.
What does this research project entail?
The subject of our research project has to do with expanded polystyrene recycling in Brittany. It was suggested to us by Yvon Ropars, Sales Director of the company Les Recycleurs Bretons, one of the leaders in Finistère’s waste processing sector.
The vast majority of polystyrene is currently treated as non-hazardous industrial waste. In the case of Les Recycleurs Bretons, such waste is recycled in specific streams organized by matter (wood, cardboard, metal, certain types of plastic, etc.), with the remainder particularly being used as refuse-derived fuel (RDF) for burning in electricity generation and heating plants. The residues (half of the polystyrene collected) go to landfills.
The merits of polystyrene recycling are twofold:
- recycling would make it possible to reduce the amount of buried waste
- recycled polystyrene could be reused, making it possible to reduce the amount of raw material.
This subject is especially important since Brittany’s fishing and farming activities generate a lot of polystyrene waste.
What are the expected/intended results at the end of the project?
The expected outcome of this research is simple: we need to find a technical solution to meet the challenges regarding polystyrene recycling in Finistère. Our research will hopefully provide a starting point for developing this new activity at Les Recycleurs Bretons.
What are the different stages of the project?
The project breaks down into 3 main stages:
- An analysis of the overall situation regarding polystyrene, the possible outlets and existing initiatives.
- An assessment of polystyrene processing in Finistère, including an identification of the different stakeholders, understanding of the issues they face and existing initiatives… and an overall analysis of the situation
- An economic survey
- Proposal of a suitable solution, with account taken of the company’s specific limitations, in terms of logistics and equipment, etc.
This has led to the implementation of several deliverables:
- Mapping of the main stakeholders in Finistère
- An economic survey including tangible investment
- A logistics plan
What is the main challenge facing this project?
Although the various stakeholders would readily take action to recycle their waste, most made it clear to us that such a project comes with financial challenges. In other words, for this project to succeed, the price must not exceed the current price of waste processing.
What skills have you drawn on?
The skills are wide-ranging and have to do with the subject of our Specialized Advanced Master:
- First of all, project management, which involves scheduling and team management. This represents a significant proportion of this assignment. The project also involves working closely with our customer in order to take on board their expectations and fully address the requirements outlined.
- Then we have combined our knowledge in terms of marketing and economics to perform an economic survey, including drawing up a business plan associated with new recycling logistics.
- Finally, we have developed our sales skills by canvassing potential customers over the ‘phone and noting down their limitations.
