France/ Circular economy and inclusion: Renée transforms local consumption in Artigues-près-Bordeaux
Renée, a pioneer of the local circular economy, has inaugurated a unique space in Artigues-près-Bordeaux. Her 700 m² workshop-store offers innovative solutions for more sustainable and inclusive consumption.
On Saturday February 11, Renée marked a turning point for the circular economy with the inauguration of its first 700 m² workshop-store in Artigues-près-Bordeaux. This unique initiative is designed to meet the growing needs of consumers looking for sustainable, affordable solutions. Since its opening, the results have been more than positive: 1,500 visitors, 500 customers and €20,000 in sales in just two months.
The workshop-store offers a vast selection of second-hand household appliances and high-tech equipment. Whether it's a coffee maker for €8 or a refurbished laptop for €199, each product reflects a strong commitment to quality, transparency and accessibility.
An exemplary model of the circular economy
In a context where over-consumption and electronic waste pose major environmental challenges, Renée offers a concrete alternative. The concept is based on a hyperlocal model, with appliances collected less than 30 km from Bordeaux, repaired on site and resold mainly in the same region. This process considerably reduces the carbon footprint while strengthening the local economy.
Transparency is at the heart of the project. Customers can watch the teams at work reconditioning products through windows opening directly onto the workshops. All appliances come with a six-month commercial warranty, reinforcing consumer confidence.
Figures and ambitions for 2025
Renée is not stopping there. With an investment of 300,000 euros, the company aims to collect 45 tonnes of electronic waste by 2025. These objectives testify to Renée's commitment to responsible resource management.
Initial results are promising:
- 1,500 visitors in two months,
- 500 satisfied customers,
- 20,000 euros,
- Steady progress in product diversification.
With an offer already exceeding 140 categories, including renowned brands such as Dyson and Nespresso, Renée proves that it's possible to combine diversity, quality and sustainability.
An inclusive, local alternative
Unlike global platforms such as Backmarket or Vinted, Renée is based on a model deeply rooted in the local area. As anAdapted Enterprise, it employs people with disabilities, creating jobs that cannot be relocated and valorizing skills that are often underestimated on the job market.
This project, at the crossroads of the social and solidarity economy (SSE) and innovation, also responds to issues of equity. Value is redistributed directly within the region, strengthening economic and social ties.
A repair service eagerly awaited by private customers
From March onwards, Renée will be extending its services with a repair workshop for private customers. According to Sonia Genin, founder of Renée, "we receive at least five requests a day for appliance repairs". By focusing on this offer, Renée is responding to an unmet need in the region, while at the same time combatingprogrammed obsolescence.
Consumers will be able to extend the life of their appliances, a gesture that is not only economical but also ecological. This service bears witness to Renée's ongoing commitment to more sustainable consumption.
An inauguration supported by local players
The inauguration was attended by a number of elected representatives and partners, underlining the importance of this project for the region. Among them, the Mayor of Artigues-près-Bordeaux, hailed an initiative that is fully in line with the Metropole's priorities in terms of local economy and ecological transition.
Regional councillorMarie-Laure Cuvelier highlighted Renée's exemplary role in the SSE field, emphasizing that this type of model could inspire other regions.
The support of local authorities reflects the growing interest in solutions rooted in sustainable development and social inclusion.
Renée: a promising future
With its 700 m² workshop-store, Renée proves that it is possible to combine innovation, inclusion and sustainability. By positioning itself as a key player in the circular economy in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, the company is redefining the standards of the second-hand market.
Its success testifies to consumers' growing interest in local, transparent and environmentally-friendly solutions. Renée's commitment shows that responsible consumption can be accessible to all, while having a positive impact on the local area.
A multiple impact on the local economy
In addition to its economic role, Renée plays an educational and social one. By demonstrating the importance of reuse and repair, the company raises consumer awareness of more responsible practices. It also contributes to the reduction of electronic waste, a major issue in a world where technologies evolve at a frenetic pace.
What's more, the project generates added value for the region, by strengthening the local e-waste recovery chain. Each reconditioned device represents a step towards a more circular consumption model.
Source: www.aquitaineonline.com/
