A new way of life linked to the recovery of food destined for the trash, freeganism proposes to completely rethink our relationship with waste . Welcome to the world of Freegans!
It's around 5pm. Two women are waiting in front of the Parisian Franprix store, chatting and keeping an eye on their children in their strollers. Suddenly, the employees of the supermarket take out the big bins into the street. The two mothers, soon joined by other people, "sort" and collect food that has been thrown away because it is unsaleable (but still edible), due to its expired DLC (Use-By Date). "Look, some ham", "oh, some yogurts, my daughter loves them". The atmosphere is friendly, and the spirit of sharing... Welcome to freeganism, a lifestyle that is more or less part of the Clean Planet trend!
Freeganism, what is it?
Freeganism is a portmanteau word born from the contraction of free (freedom) and veganism (lifestyle without the use of animal products). This new lifestyle makes us rethink our relationship with purchases and waste . These two women may be freegans without knowing it. Because it is not always out of necessity that freegans rummage through trash cans, but to fight against food waste, among other things. The freeganism movement collects food waste from major retailers or food establishments for personal consumption or to redistribute it to people in need. This is the reason for the existence of various collectives such as the Lyonnais Les Gars'pilleurs founded in 2013 whose motto is "Nothing is lost, everything is recovered" (more information by following their Facebook page) or "The antigaspi&solidaire brigade" @la_brigade_antigaspi_solidaire , on Instagram. In addition to collecting and redistributing unsold items, these collectives want to raise awareness.
Freeganism, beyond food waste
Some hard-hitting actions to combat food waste are carried out in a more publicized manner, notably during the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste, launched by the United Nations (scheduled this year for September 29). As a reminder, in France each year 10 million tons of food is "lost" if it is not recovered from the trash cans of large-scale distribution (2.3 million tons) or restaurants (1.5 million tons). Especially since, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, 1.2 million tons are still edible.
On the freegan info website, the concept goes even further: " freeganism is the boycott of an economic system in which the concern for profitability has completely swept aside any ethical consideration (...). So rather than avoiding buying products from certain companies that lead us to benefit another, let's simply avoid buying as much as we can. "
Also called "dépôtarians", these activists denounce food waste and overconsumption. As a result, through their actions, called dumpster diving, freegans fill their fridges without going through the supermarket checkout. A way to fight against our materialistic societies, capitalism and its excesses.
Initially focused on the recovery of unsold food, freeganism can now extend to other areas, such as the recovery of other products destined for the trash like furniture, clothes , etc. Moreover, we see the emergence of micro-accounts on Instagram highlighting everything that is recovered directly from the street , as an eco-responsible and militant act, for a cleaner planet . Accounts that advocate stopping mass overconsumption
A new way of acting to preserve the planet.
