The Envie network, a key player in the refurbishment and reuse of electrical and electronic equipment, as well as an advocate for social reintegration, faces an uncertain future. Founded 40 years ago, Envie has been instrumental in combining economic viability, environmental sustainability, and job creation for individuals excluded from traditional employment. However, its survival is now under threat due to a decision by Ecosystem, a state-mandated eco-organisation, which recently altered its tendering rules. According to Ludovic Blot, Director General of Envie 35 in Ille-et-Vilaine, this decision could lead to the network’s closure in the coming weeks, leaving many questioning its fairness and the consequences for both employment and the environment.

Envie has been a trailblazer in giving a second life to household appliances, offering refurbished products with a two-year warranty comparable to new items. Across France, the network has created numerous jobs, including 230 in Brittany, of which 150 are dedicated to social reintegration. Envie’s operations in Brittany span three core activities: logistics (Envie Transport Bretagne, which collects waste electrical equipment), refurbishment and sales (Envie Electroménager), and recycling for items that cannot be repaired (Envie Recyclage Bretagne). However, Ecosystem’s decision not to renew Envie’s contract for waste collection in Ille-et-Vilaine threatens to undermine these efforts. Blot describes the situation as “a catastrophe,” emphasising the “incomprehension and anger” felt by those who depend on Envie’s work.

Unless a solution is found by 5 May, Envie stands to lose its contract, potentially jeopardising 150 reintegration jobs, which support around 200 individuals annually as they transition toward long-term employment. Blot highlights the broader implications of this crisis, including its impact on local employment, the circular economy, and resource preservation. Prominent figures such as Nathalie Appéré, Mayor of Rennes, and Loïg Chesnais-Girard, President of the Brittany Region, have voiced their support for Envie, recognising the vital role it plays in addressing both social and environmental challenges. As the clock ticks down, Envie is calling for urgent action from policymakers to safeguard its future and the valuable contributions it makes to communities and the planet.