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Recycling in La Plagne: What Goes Where and What’s New for Winter 2025
Ski holidays are brilliant! But they can also come with a lot of waste. Between the packaging, the travel snacks, and the half-eaten cheese your kids swore they’d finish, it can feel hard to keep things eco-friendly on the mountain.
The good news? La Plagne has made it much easier to recycle properly and even compost your food waste if you know where to look.
In this guide, I’ll show you exactly what you can recycle, where to find the right bins, and how to reduce the rubbish you bring home. Whether you're here for a week or a whole season, there are simple ways to keep your ski trip that little bit greener.
Recycling in La Plagne – What Goes Where?
In France, the communal bins – poubelles – are dotted around the resort in groups of 3 or 4. Each bin will have a label on it as to what should be put in it. I’m going to try to demystify the labels for you. Hopefully, you can share this information with your friends/colleagues/staff, etc., and together, we can reduce the amount of unnecessary waste in our ski resorts.
Below is an infographic to help show what waste should go in which bin. I should also note that this is made based on the rules in the Savoie. This might vary when you move to other regions and ski areas. As such, always make sure to check in with your local Tourist Information point or accommodation team, who should be able to help.
NEW: Food Recycling Comes to La Plagne for 2025
Big eco win! La Plagne has just introduced food waste recycling bins across parts of the resort. For the first time, locals and visitors can now compost all food waste, including meat, bones, dairy, and cooked leftovers.
At the moment, these bins are mainly in local residential areas and municipal buildings, so you might not see them near your holiday accommodation just yet. But if you’re staying here long-term or you own/rent a property, this is a brilliant way to cut your rubbish and keep waste out of landfill.
What can go in:
- Vegetable & fruit peelings
- Meat & fish (raw or cooked)
- Dairy, bones, eggshells, bread, and more
Want a food recycling bin near you?
The organisation running the scheme doesn’t currently speak English, so they’ve asked anyone interested to get in touch with me directly and I’ll help coordinate it.
Locals & business owners:
If you'd like a bin for your building or business this winter, email me and I’ll help with the request.
Holidaymakers:
If this matters to you, ask your accommodation provider whether they’ll be requesting food recycling for their properties. It’s a small nudge that can lead to big change.
How to Recycle Your Waste in La Plagne
From 1 January 2023, the “Communauté de Communes Les Versants d'Aime”, which is the public services for the Tarentaise area, including La Plagne, where I live, has extended the waste-sorting instructions to include all packaging now. This will basically bring in the same recycling and sorting as the whole of Savoie.
This is basically great news as it makes it easier for us to recycle more waste products and reduce the amount of packaging going to landfills. To keep it simple:
- Yellow bin: packaging and paper
- Green bin: glass
- Grey bin: household waste
- Separate wheely bin: food waste
To remove all doubt, all packaging, without exception, can now be put in the yellow bin.
- Metal
- Cardboard
- Paper
- Plastic
So, for example, you can put all of the following into the yellow bins in La Plagne: bottles, cans, yoghurt pots, trays, plastic films and bags, toothpaste tubes or cosmetic cream pots.
Once the packaging has been placed in the yellow bin, it will be sent to the sorting centre in Chambéry to be sorted and then sent to specialised plants for recycling or recovery.
How to Reduce Your Waste on Your Family Ski Trip
Ski holidays can be a great way to enjoy the winter season, but they can also have a negative impact on the environment. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to reduce your waste and recycle while on your ski trip. So recycling is great, but we should first remember that recycling is not a magic solution to our waste production.
However, it is clearly one of the best ways to deal with our daily rubbish and waste, and there are a couple of things we should try first. From packing reusable items to properly disposing of waste, these sustainable skiing tips can help you enjoy your holiday while minimising your impact on the planet.
1 Bring reusable water bottles and food containers
One of the easiest ways to reduce waste on your ski holiday is to bring reusable water bottles and food containers. Instead of buying single-use plastic bottles and containers, pack your own reusable ones. This not only reduces waste but also saves you money in the long run. Many ski resorts now have water bottle refill stations, so you can easily refill your bottle throughout the day. If you’re stopping for lunch, you can always refill your water bottles for free in the restaurants as well.
My kids love these soft water bottles from Decathlon. They are quite reasonable, and they fit perfectly in their little pockets. They won’t explode if the kids fall on them – or bruise them! – and they find them fun, which means they also drink more water. I also use a Camel Bak, which is basically a water pouch with an attached straw. You can buy the pro backpack with the water bladder attached, but I just got the cheaper water bladder and use it in my generic backpack.
If you're packing your own lunch or snacks, bring them in reusable containers instead of disposable ones. This simple step can make a big difference in reducing your environmental impact while skiing. We usually buy our Haribo sweets and snacks in bulk and then decant them into reusable sandwich bags because the flat sandwich bags fit perfectly in a ski jacket pocket.
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2 Use eco-friendly ski gear
Another way to make your ski holiday more sustainable is to use eco-friendly ski gear and equipment. Look for brands that use sustainable materials and production methods, such as recycled materials or renewable energy sources. Some leading sustainable ski brands are Patagonia, Planks, Picture and OOSC.
Additionally, when it's time to replace your old gear, why not re-sell on WhoSki.com, a peer-to-peer marketplace for ski and winter clothing? You can also buy ‘new-for-you’ ski outfits for all the family at a fraction of the price of a new ski outfit.
Finally, rather than buying anything, you can also consider renting equipment instead of buying new gear, which reduces waste and saves resources. EcoSki is an excellent set for renting individual pieces and also full outfits. You can even rent ski or snowboard outfits from Olympiads Jenny Jones and Amy Fuller’s wardrobes!
By making small changes to your ski gear and equipment choices, you can help protect the environment and enjoy a more sustainable ski holiday.
3 Rent eco-friendly ski equipment
When planning your ski holiday, consider renting eco-friendly equipment. Many of La Plagne's ski rental shops now offer skis and snowboards made from sustainable materials, such as bamboo or recycled materials. Additionally, some shops offer equipment that is designed to reduce energy consumption, such as skis with a lower carbon footprint. A lot of ski rental shops are also working with their suppliers to reduce the amount of unnecessary packaging that comes with rental equipment, such as single-use plastic bags and bulky or unnecessary packaging.
By renting eco-friendly equipment, you can reduce your impact on the environment while still enjoying your time on the slopes.
4 Choose eco-friendly transportation options
One of the biggest contributors to carbon emissions during a ski holiday is transportation. Flying, whilst often the first option that comes to mind, it’s also the most damaging to the environment.
Consider taking public transportation like the snow train, carpooling, or using a shuttle service instead of driving your own car. If you do need to drive, choose a fuel-efficient vehicle or consider renting an electric or hybrid car. You can also offset your carbon emissions by purchasing carbon credits or donating to a carbon offset program. Read this article to find out more about your ski holiday transport options.
Also, once you are in your ski resort, you can use the free public transport rather than driving around the resorts. Trust me, from someone who lives in a ski resort, taking the free La Plagne shuttle bus is much quicker than driving and then trying to find a parking space in busy peak-season ski weeks!
By choosing eco-friendly transportation options, you can reduce your impact on the environment and enjoy a more sustainable ski holiday.
5 Conserve energy in your accommodation
One of the easiest ways to have a more sustainable ski holiday is to conserve energy in your accommodations. Turn off lights and electronics when you're not using them, and adjust the thermostat to a lower temperature when you're out skiing for the day. You can also reuse towels and linens instead of having them washed every day.
Ski chalet companies are also offering incentives to encourage their ski clientele to be more sustainably minded. La Plagne local company Alpoholics, are one of the more active, greener chalet companies and have different offers like a free case of BrewDog beer to groups travelling by train rather than flying.
These small actions can add up to a significant reduction in energy consumption and help preserve the mountains for future generations to enjoy.
6 Support sustainable ski resorts and businesses
When planning your ski holiday, consider supporting sustainable ski resorts and businesses. Look for resorts that have implemented environmentally friendly practices, such as using renewable energy sources and reducing water usage.
In the Alps, there is an award called the Flocon Vert- the Green Snowflake – awarded to mountains and ski resorts adhering to a strict list of environmental guidelines. Excitingly, La Plagne were awarded the Flocon Vert in the summer of 2024 to recognise their ongoing commitment to working as sustainably as possible. But what exactly does this mean for your ski holiday? More on the Flocon Vert below.
You can also support local businesses that prioritise sustainability, such as restaurants that use locally sourced and organic ingredients. Some of our favourite La Plagne restaurants are those that offer fantastic vegetarian options and make a conscious effort to source ingredients locally. My family often prefer the veggie options, and I appreciate that by eating them, we’re often reducing our food miles. It's great to know we can enjoy a hearty alpine meal while still making eco-friendly choices.
As a resident, I try to support local eco-friendly businesses whenever possible. My family and I often shop locally rather than at the bigger, chain stores. Have a look at my La Plagne gift guide if you are looking to support independent and local businesses.
By choosing to support sustainable options, you can help promote a more eco-friendly ski industry.
7 Dispose of waste properly and recycle whenever possible
When skiing, it's important to dispose of waste properly and recycle it whenever possible. Many ski resorts have recycling programs in place, so be sure to check with your resort to see what options are available. Having said that, it can be confusing to understand what rubbish goes in which bin to get recycled correctly.
By being mindful of your waste and recycling habits, you can help preserve the natural beauty of the mountains for future generations to enjoy.
What La Plagne’s Flocon Vert Certification Means for Sustainable Skiing
The Flocon Vert certification is awarded based on strict criteria, including:
- Waste Reduction: La Plagne has implemented numerous waste management systems, including extensive recycling facilities across the resort.
- Energy Efficiency: The resort utilises renewable energy in many of its operations, from ski lifts to accommodation, and continually seeks to reduce energy consumption.
- Local Sourcing and Eco-Tourism: La Plagne encourages visitors to shop and eat locally, supporting small businesses that prioritise sustainability.
- Sustainable Snow Management: The resort uses modern snowmaking techniques that minimise water usage and energy consumption.
By skiing in La Plagne, you’re choosing a resort that prioritises environmental responsibility. Living in La Plagne, I see firsthand how the resort prioritises sustainability. Every winter, when my family and I use the ski lifts, it's reassuring to know that many of the stations are powered by renewable energy. I’ve even noticed that the snow-making machines are far less intrusive, as they use minimal water from natural alpine sources. It’s comforting to know that my kids can enjoy the snow while the resort takes steps to protect our local ecosystem. You can find out more about La Plagne's Flocon Very here.
Your guide on recycling in La Plagne
Hopefully, these simple tips will help you to start planning and enjoying more sustainable family ski holidays, including helping you organise your rubbish more effectively once you arrive at your ski resort.
TOP TIPS
- If you’re on holiday here, take your rubbish out to the communal bins daily. It’s a small job done every day but becomes unmanageable if left until the end of the week. If you can’t easily find them, just ask your host or any local staff who will be happy to point them out.
- Delegate it to the kids. They do enjoy the responsibility of taking the rubbish out themselves.
- Share this article with anyone who is heading to the Alps this winter. Together, we can all make a difference and preserve our snow and ski resorts for future generations.
- Don’t take your empty wine bottles out to drop into the glass recycling in the morning – it is very loud, and you will wake up sleeping neighbours!
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