My beautiful decheterie

At some stages in my life, chiefly when moving home , I seem to have spent an inordinate amount of time at local rubbish tips. Indeed, I could be counted as quite an expert in the ease and efficiency of these establishments. Although we are not thinking of selling up, after 22 years here, we have recently been undertaking a degree of 'rationalisation.' It is amazing just how much 'stuff' can accumulate in that time. And so today, after months of sorting out books, and clearing out a very crowded garage, we finally set off for the decheterie (rubbish tip) at Lodève with our car and trailer overflowing.

But times have changed since we came to France. Recycling has become universal, so we decided to call in at the local recycling centre first, to ask if we had anything that could be of interest to them. Their workshop occupies a large industrial building on the edge of Lodève. This was once part of the enormous woollen mills which lie alongside the river. Newly recycled goods are then offered for sale at the 'Recyclage Aid 34 ' centre in town, which is a charitable concern. Here you will find all sorts of things for sale , from skateboards and bicycles to vacuum cleaners and books.

We entered the recycling workshop through the ornate wrought iron gates that once led to the ancient woollen factory, which was a thriving and profitable industry.

The helpers at the recycling centre descended on us like ants, keen to see what we might be able to offer. Much to our delight, we were relieved of quite a large number of objects : a pressure washer with a broken motor, two old car batteries, fire extinguishers small electrical equipment and much more; even some redundant fly sprays were quickly whisked away.

Whilst some of the old red brick mill buildings lie empty and derelict, others have been beautifully restored. I noticed a lovely row of artists workshops (ateliers) alongside. Peeping through the windows of one I spotted beautiful Japanese tie died fabrics on display.

And then it was on to the decheterie with the rest of our stuff. This lies in the valley a little farther on from the old woollen mills. If there were to be a beauty contest for European rubbish disposal sites, I believe Lodève would win hands down, with its background of hills and vineyards stretching away beyond the valley . It is also well organised and spotlessly clean.

Every bay is well signposted, separating metal from stone , and wood from cardboard cartons. One can back up to unload. Anything that can't be unloaded into these bays is then placed in this chute labelled ' Le reste après le tri,'( after the sorting.) Materials such as non recyclable plastic, carpet and glass , and other sundry items go here.

We felt sad as we parted with many of our books. After all, much our past lives were there. But there will be new ones to read. French books were set aside to place in the free bookshelves outside our mairie.

Other people were busy unloading too, private householders and workmen alike. One van seemed to contain the contents of a whole house from mahogany furniture to a washing machine. Everyone must produce a card of authorisation from the local authority in order to use these facilities.

Up... and Over!

In many ways decheteries are sad places, as lives and enterprises come to an end and goods are disposed of. We felt a little sad too, to part with things from our past. But at least it was good to know that many things would be recycled. Just as we were about to leave, I spotted a tree on the edge of the decheterie that was laden with orange coloured fruit. They were ripe loquats. In the midst of desolation, there is new growth. What's more , if one has to undergo a clearing out, then I reckon Lodève 'Recyclage 34' and the local decheterie are the best places to go.