Initiatives
Because preserving environment is a priority for Médithau, we are keen on acting to limit our impact on our surroundings. To this end, we are working on better control of energy use and better management of waste and emissions.
Controlling our energy use
Médithau has two people working full-time on maintenance. In addition to their daily work, monitoring electricity and water consumption is an ongoing concern, to ensure waste is limited and energy savings are achieved.
A complete analysis of our facilities in 2007 enabled us to optimise our energy use. Moreover, regular awareness campaigns are carried out for all our workforce to encourage everyone to be involved in the overall energy-saving policies that have been implemented.
In equiping our trays with solar panels, Médithau has taken on a pioneering role in the use of renewable energy sources in shellfish production.
Packaging management and eco-design of our products
Because Médithau deals with large volumes of shellfish, we consider it is our responsibility to respect environment to each production phase.
This means we look for to use environmentally sensitive packaging. One illustration of this is our changeover from PVC trays to PP trays, which are more expensive but recyclable.
Similarly, for administrative supplies, we have implemented a number of initiatives : collecting batteries, recycling printer cartridges and re-using paper that has only been printed on one side etc.
All these practices are listed in our sustainable development plan since 2007.
Managing our emissions and effluents
Médithau Marée has its own treatment facility for water used to wash shellfish.
Pre-treatment consists in pre-filtration by pallocks at the main drain, as well as screening carried out using a series of vertical grilles to remove most part of the waste.
The main treatment installation is a decanter, set up in a 1000m3 pool. Water is pumped into this structure, which is rectangular and divided into four cells.
A bactericidal treatment is carried out by ozonisation in the decanter.
Sludge produced by the treatment of wasted water is recovered after the cells have been emptied, and spread on drying beds. This sludge is then re-used by an agricultural soil improvement plant.