Mountain Riders' long-term goal is to achieve a "Zero Waste Wilderness Mountain by 2030."
1. Clean Mountains, Healthy Ecosystems
For the past 25 years, Mountain Riders has been actively involved in picking up trash in the mountains. However, its role is not limited to simply coordinating these cleanup campaigns. The organization takes a more comprehensive and in-depth approach: conducting scientific assessments of outdoor pollution, then taking action to reduce this waste at its source.
Mountain Riders’ long-term ambition is to achieve a “Zero Litter Mountain by 2030.” And this goal has moved beyond the scope of the association alone to become an objective championed by all economic, institutional, and political stakeholders in the French mountains. This is because the mountains play a crucial role in the water cycle, and the pollution plaguing them has repercussions on marine ecosystems. The approach of the Zero Litter Mountain program aims to engage in a proactive strategy of reduction at the source. The focus is now on prevention rather than simply picking up litter.
2. Mountain Riders & Les Arcs
The resort has become a testing ground for the “Adopt 1 Spot” citizen science program. This initiative involves two annual cleanups in the same area over a three-year period, in order to assess changes in litter over several years. Three spots have been adopted in Les Arcs:
- The first is around a condominium complex and aims to identify—and thereby curb—littering associated with tourist accommodations
. - The second is located around La Folie Douce and is a collaboration with Carlsberg to analyze and stop littering linked to high-altitude dining.
- The third is in collaboration with the POMA Foundation and company, to assess and identify ways to stop littering associated with ski lift construction sites.
3. Get your Green Snowflake with Mountain Riders
Mountain Riders is also behind the "Flocon Vert" label, designed to guide mountain resorts toward eco-friendly practices. This label is awarded based on compliance with criteria across four key areas: local, social, and cultural economy; governance and destination; and environment and natural resources. In December 2020, Les Arcs became the first resort in Savoie to receive the Flocon Vert certification. This achievement was made possible through cooperation among several local stakeholders, including the town hall, the Tourist Office, and the Les Arcs–Peisey-Vallandry ski area.
Les Arcs stands out for three flagship initiatives that demonstrate its commitment to the environment:
- Energy: developments on the slopes, such as the energy-efficient chalet at the base of the Lanchettes chairlift, and the deployment of a fleet of electric vehicles
. - Environment: Quiet zones have been created to preserve the habitat of the black grouse, an iconic mountain bird.
- Waste: A "Zero Plastic" campaign has been launched to raise public awareness about drinking tap water and storing it in reusable water bottles. Additionally, the resort has chosen not to place any outdoor trash cans on the ski area. The goal is to prevent litter and the use of vehicles to transport trash down the mountain. The recommendation is to take your trash with you and dispose of it once you’ve made it back down.
If you want to support this organization working to preserve our playground, become a member!
