UNIVALOM
UNIVALOM is a French public syndicate that treats and valorizes household waste across 63 communes in Alpes-Maritimes, serving 280,000+ residents through 13 déchèteries, 200+ composting sites, and a waste-to-energy facility producing 70,000 MWh annually.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersAntibes, France
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What UNIVALOM does
UNIVALOM (legal name: Syndicat Mixte pour la valorisation des déchets ménagers UNIVALOM) is a French public mixed syndicate responsible for the treatment and valorization of household waste across 63 communes in the Alpes-Maritimes department, serving more than 280,000 residents through four member intercommunalities (CASA, CACPL, CCAA, and CAPG). The organization operates a vertically integrated waste management platform comprising 13 déchèteries (waste recycling centers), a network of more than 200 collective composting sites installed since 2011, free distribution of 400L home composter kits, pop-up second-hand markets (recycleries éphémères), Christmas tree grinding programs, and free home pickup of large appliances in partnership with ecosystem.
Its core technological asset is the Unité de Valorisation Énergétique (UVE) in Antibes — a waste-to-energy incineration facility with 160,000 tonnes of annual processing capacity, generating approximately 70,000 MWh of electricity (equivalent to the annual consumption of 14,000 households). The UVE is operated on UNIVALOM's behalf by partner VALOMED. Environmental monitoring is conducted via on-site air and rainwater sensors to track atmospheric pollutant levels.
UNIVALOM is funded primarily through mandatory contributions from its four member intercommunalities (public service / tax-financed model), supplemented by transaction-based fees on professional déchèterie users and modest ticket revenue from new €50 Zero Waste masterclass programs in permaculture and sewing. The organization is governed by elected officials from member structures, holds no private equity or outside investor ownership, and operates exclusively within its legally mandated Alpes-Maritimes territory.
UNIVALOM firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- UNIVALOM
- Legal name
- Syndicat Mixte pour la valorisation des déchets ménagers UNIVALOM
- Website
- https://univalom.fr
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- UNIVALOM is a French public syndicate that treats and valorizes household waste across 63 communes in Alpes-Maritimes, serving 280,000+ residents through 13 déchèteries, 200+ composting sites, and a waste-to-energy facility producing 70,000 MWh annually.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
UNIVALOM industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Municipal Waste Treatment and Valorization
- NAICS
- Solid Waste Combustors and Incinerators (562213), Waste Treatment and Disposal (56221), Waste Collection (56211)
- SIC
- Refuse Systems (4953), Sanitary Services (4950), Hazardous Waste Management (4955)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Inert / Monofill Disposal (Ash, Sludge, C&D Fines, Contaminated Soils) (EUAIACAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Special Waste Transfer (Tires, Mattresses, Appliances) (BPALABAG), Universal Waste Management (Batteries, Lamps, Mercury Devices, Aerosols) (BPALAFAJ)
Keywords
Where UNIVALOM is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Antibes
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
UNIVALOM business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Infrastructure, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Public service funding: UNIVALOM is a public syndicate (Syndicat Mixte) funded by member agglomerations and municipalities. As a public establishment, it operates on public budgets and service fees rather than commercial revenue.
- Waste collection center fees: Fees charged for access to déchèteries, with specific tariff structures for different types of waste and users (residents, professionals).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | One time | Free composter distribution for residents with gardens |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
UNIVALOM product offering
Product offeringCore offering
UNIVALOM is a French public mixed syndicate that performs the treatment and valorization of household waste across 63 communes in the Alpes-Maritimes. It runs a network of 13 déchèteries, an Energy Recovery Unit (UVE) that incinerates up to 160,000 tonnes of residual waste per year to produce electricity, individual and collective composting programs (200+ sites), and a range of reuse, recycling, and zero-waste education services for residents and professionals.
Product overview
UNIVALOM is a public waste management syndicate serving 63 communes in the Alpes-Maritimes region of France, responsible for waste treatment and valorization. The organization operates a unified platform of environmental services including a network of 13 déchèteries (household waste recycling centers), individual and collective composting programs (distributing free 400L composters with accessories), the recyclerie éphémère (ephemeral second-hand market), free home collection of large appliances via ecosystem, seasonal Christmas tree grinding, and comprehensive educational programming including zero waste workshops and masterclasses on permaculture and sewing. UNIVALOM also operates the Energy Recovery Unit in Antibes (160,000 tonnes/year capacity, 70,000 MWh electricity generated), handles waste sorting guidance, and provides online services for recycling center card management and composter reservation. The territory covers four intercommunities: CASA (24 communes), CACPL (Cannes excluded, 4 communes), CAPG (Mouans-Sartoux), and CCAA (Alpes d'Azur, 37 communes), serving over 280,000 residents.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Déchèteries (Household Waste Recycling Centers) Network of 13 waste recycling centers across the territory where residents can deposit green waste, construction debris, metals, wood, furniture, electronics, hazardous waste, and other household items under a personal déchèterie card.
- Unité de Valorisation Énergétique (Energy Recovery Unit) Energy-from-waste incineration facility in Antibes processing up to 160,000 tonnes of residual household waste per year and generating ~70,000 MWh of electricity (equivalent to the annual consumption of 14,000 households); operated on UNIVALOM's behalf by VALOMED under contract.
- Composting Services (Individual and Collective) Individual and collective composting services including free 400L composter distribution (recycled plastic, with anti-rodent grid, kitchen bioseau, and guide) and access to 200+ collective composting sites at residences, schools, and public spaces.
- Free Home Collection of Large Appliances Free home pickup of large household appliances (refrigerators, washing machines, ovens, etc.) for reuse or recycling, operated in partnership with ecosystem (Jedonnemonelectromenager.fr) and available to 17 communes. Approximately 35% of collected appliances are reused.
- Recyclerie Éphémère (Ephemeral Second-hand Market) Temporary pop-up market events at select déchèteries where pre-owned objects (furniture, dishes, decorative items, tools) are resold at affordable prices to promote reuse and waste reduction.
- Christmas Tree Grinding (Broyage de Sapins de Noël) Annual post-holiday program (active since 2013) that collects and grinds Christmas trees into mulch for reuse on municipal green spaces, preventing illegal dumping and reducing landfill waste.
- Zero Waste Workshops (Ateliers Zéro Déchet) Free educational workshops covering waste sorting, composting fundamentals, and practical zero-waste living tips, delivered across the territory.
- Zero Waste Permaculture Masterclass Six-session program (March–June) teaching sustainable gardening through permaculture; covers soil, year-round cultivation, biodiversity, plant diagnostics, and natural plant care, with up to 25 participants and a €50 materials fee.
- Zero Waste Sewing Masterclass 5–6 session program (January–April) teaching sewing skills to create zero-waste items (bulk bags, produce bags, makeup wipes, beeswax wraps, cushion covers, clothing repairs); beginner and expert tracks offered with up to 15 participants and a €50 materials fee.
- Waste Collection Coordination Service Information and routing service that directs residents to the four partner intercommunities (CASA, CACPL, CAPG, CCAA) handling kerbside collection within their jurisdictions, covering all 63 communes.
- Déchèterie Card (Online Access Card Service) Online service for creating, managing, and canceling the personal access card required to deposit waste at any of UNIVALOM's 13 déchèteries.
- Winter Sports Equipment Collection (ECOLOGIC partnership) Exceptional collection campaign for winter sports equipment (skis, snowboards, boots, helmets, sleds) at the Valberg déchèterie in partnership with ECOLOGIC, running February–May 2026; the prior year's campaign collected 6 tonnes.
- Quinzaine du Compostage (Composting Fortnight) Annual two-week awareness event promoting composting through guided visits, free compost and wood chip distribution, free composter giveaways with training, and information stands at local markets.
- Zones de Réemploi (Reuse Zones at Déchèteries) Designated reuse areas at four participating déchèteries for items such as dishes, garden furniture, small furniture, vases, lanterns, interior/exterior furniture, and (at three sites) metal cutlery redirected to art recycling partner Les Fées Contraires.
Quantifiable outcome
- 70,000 MWh electricity generated annually, equivalent to 14,000 households' consumption
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use UNIVALOM
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
UNIVALOM technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
UNIVALOM partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- ECOLOGICminorECOLOGIC is an eco-organization authorized by the French state for collecting winter sports and mountain equipment. UNIVALOM partners with ECOLOGIC for an exceptional collection campaign from February to May 2026 at the Valberg déchèterie. Last year's campaign collected 6 tonnes of equipment.
- VALOMEDcoreVALOMED operates the Unité de Valorisation Énergétique (UVE) in Antibes on behalf of UNIVALOM. The company conducts guided tours of the facility and manages the daily operations of waste-to-energy conversion. This is a critical operational partnership for the energy recovery aspect of UNIVALOM's mission.
- ecosystemcoreEcosystem is an eco-organization approved by the French state for collecting, reusing, and recycling sports and leisure equipment. In partnership with UNIVALOM, ecosystem collects large household appliances free of charge at residents' homes. Approximately 35% of collected appliances are reused through social economy partners.
- AMORCEminorUNIVALOM is a member of AMORCE, an association specializing in waste management and energy. The membership allows UNIVALOM to stay informed about sector developments and adopt best available technologies.
- France CancerminorAssociation France Cancer collects bottle caps (cork and synthetic) through UNIVALOM déchèteries. The caps are sold to cork producers, and proceeds fund cancer research.
- La Source (Montauroux)minorThe La Source recyclerie in Montauroux receives donated items from UNIVALOM déchèteries (Roquefort-les-Pins). Items include dishes, furniture, and decorative objects which are either sold in the recyclerie or used for an event dish rental project.
- Les Fées Contraires (Grasse)minorLes Fées Contraires is an art recyclery in Grasse that transforms metal objects destined for waste into unique artisan creations. UNIVALOM collects metal cutlery from three déchèteries (Mougins, Mouans-Sartoux, Le Cannet) for Les Fées Contraires to repurpose.
- Bienveillance Végétal (Claire Aguilera)minorClaire Aguilera of Bienveillance Végétal partners with UNIVALOM to deliver the Permaculture Zero Waste masterclass. The program consists of 6 three-hour workshops teaching participants to create and maintain gardens sustainably using permaculture principles.
- Agnès de GraeveminorAgnès de Graeve partners with UNIVALOM to deliver the Couture Zero Waste masterclass. Two skill-level paths are offered: beginner (bags, napkins, wipes) and expert (beeswax wraps, cushion covers, clothing alterations).
- Jedonnemonelectromenager.frcoreJedonnemonelectromenager.fr is a free service operated by ecosystem that allows residents to schedule home pickup of large appliances. The service redirects to ecosystem's platform and is the primary channel for the free home collection service.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
UNIVALOM competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Derichebourg Multiservices: French waste management and recycling group with municipal and household waste operations. Comparable as a French-scale operator of waste treatment and material recovery infrastructure.
- Séché Environnement: French-listed specialist in hazardous and non-hazardous waste treatment, including incineration with energy recovery. Closest French-listed comp for UNIVALOM's UVE operations and household waste treatment activity.
- Paprec Group: Major French recycling and waste recovery company operating household-waste, sorting, and material recovery facilities. Comparable for recycling, composting feedstocks and energy-from-waste exposure.
- Veolia Environnement: World's largest waste management operator with significant waste-to-energy and recycling operations in France. Comparable to UNIVALOM's UVE-and-recycling model but at much larger scale and broader service portfolio.
- SUEZ (waste management): Global waste management and water services operator. Comparable as a large-scale provider of household waste treatment, recycling, and waste-to-energy infrastructure, though operating across broader geographies and service lines rather than a regional monopoly.
Regional players
- Haganis: French public mixed syndicate (Syndicat Mixte) operating waste-to-energy and recycling infrastructure in the Metz-Orne region. Highly comparable to UNIVALOM as a same-model regional public-sector waste treatment operator.
- Syded du Lot: French public syndicate managing household waste treatment, déchèteries, and composting for a multi-commune territory. Comparable to UNIVALOM in service mix and public-mandate structure though at smaller scale and without a UVE.
- Sytrad: French public syndicate handling household waste treatment in the Drôme/Ardèche area, including waste-to-energy at the Vernaison UVE. Comparable to UNIVALOM in scale, mandate type, and UVE-centric operating model.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
UNIVALOM social profiles
Digital presenceUNIVALOM financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
UNIVALOM leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
UNIVALOM funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
UNIVALOM M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about UNIVALOM
What does UNIVALOM do?
UNIVALOM is a French public mixed syndicate that performs the treatment and valorization of household waste across 63 communes in the Alpes-Maritimes. It runs a network of 13 déchèteries, an Energy Recovery Unit (UVE) that incinerates up to 160,000 tonnes of residual waste per year to produce electricity, individual and collective composting programs (200+ sites), and a range of reuse, recycling, and zero-waste education services for residents and professionals.
Is UNIVALOM a public or private company?
UNIVALOM is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was UNIVALOM founded?
UNIVALOM was founded in -1. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is UNIVALOM based?
UNIVALOM is headquartered in Antibes, France, in the Europe region.
How does UNIVALOM make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Public service funding is the primary driver. The others are waste collection center fees.
Who are UNIVALOM's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Derichebourg Multiservices, Séché Environnement, Paprec Group, Veolia Environnement and SUEZ (waste management). Regional players are Haganis, Syded du Lot and Sytrad.
Does UNIVALOM have an API?
No public API is recorded for UNIVALOM.
What industry is UNIVALOM in?
UNIVALOM's product category is Municipal Waste Treatment and Valorization. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUAIACAE, Inert / Monofill Disposal (Ash, Sludge, C&D Fines, Contaminated Soils), with a secondary code of BPALABAG, Special Waste Transfer (Tires, Mattresses, Appliances). Its NAICS code is 562213 and its SIC code is 4953.