Emmaus companions provide reuse training for council workers

For the second consecutive year, two companions from Emmaus Toulouse (Southern France) have been training council workers about reuse: the partnership offers multiple benefits.

Anaïs Revollat-Veuillet, the manager of the three Emmaus Toulouse sites, answered our questions.

Can you tell us the story of this partnership? 

In 2023, Toulouse Métropole decided to set up a collection system that set aside bulky waste so that items that could be reused could be salvaged, rather than sending them directly for waste disposal. Emmaus Toulouse got involved as a reuse partner as part of this initiative.

The aim is to divert as many items as possible from waste disposal and give them a new lease of life. The items are collected from households, recycling hubs or are bulky waste items left in the street. For Emmaus Toulouse this partnership is an opportunity to access extra goods in addition to those we collect from households.

However, the Toulouse council waste collection workers must be able to identify items that can be reused in order for this scheme to be worthwhile. We therefore offered them training to pass on our reuse experience and know-how.

The training got underway in 2025, and we have trained 46 council waste collection workers in the first year. Consequently, the partnership helps to strengthen links between the local council and Emmaus Toulouse, while developing reuse in the area.

Can you tell me about the course content? 

We firstly explain why it is important to reuse rather than dispose of items.

We then talk about what we do at Emmaus and our social and solidarity initiatives, above and beyond our green reuse work.

The aim of these first two modules is to make the work meaningful, as well as forging a relationship and getting to know Emmaus.

A site visit is then arranged and we show them around our various repair and upcycling workshops so that they grasp the opportunities open to us. There is then a practical session during which we chat in more specific terms about what we can take and what we cannot take, and why. For instance,  a piece of furniture in solid wood with a damaged foot – we take it, because it can be repaired. On the other hand, we would not take a dismantled or damaged piece of furniture made from chipboard.

Apart from being a source of additional stock, what have been the benefits of the partnership? 

Its value lies in forging more links with the council and being recognised as a local reuse stakeholder. It paves the way for other partnerships!

Moreover, sharing their knowledge is an additional skill for our companions, and the recognition they get is a real confidence boost.

The project has fostered a training dynamic at Emmaus Toulouse, enabling us to now offer domestic appliance repair training to other movement organisations.

Thank you for telling us about this initiative. It could provide ideas for other European Emmaus groups! 

Thank you also to Camille Siboni (development and traceability) and Christophe Guyot (Emmaus Toulouse companion) who developed the course, and Joseph Rubio, the companion-trainer