VIDEO. “A pen is a pen”: in order to return to school and not ruin the bank, they choose second-hand

“As long as it works, it’s very good! Romane laughs, picking out a used four-color pen. This pre-entry Saturday, a second-year science preparatory class student in Paris came to replenish her kit and backpack at the Emmaus Campus store in the Forum des Halles. A back-to-school and university “corner” is open here until the end of September, with used goods and items donated by partner Emmaus supermarkets, all sold at a very favorable price. A set of three used pens that Roman has just found costs, for example, 50 cents. At the same price, there is a small notebook bought by Ines, also a student. For two young women, the Emmaus campus and the many resource centers in the capital are a way to save money and stay on budget for school supplies.

Good “economic, environmental and social” plan

For Ines, who is pursuing a master’s degree in chemistry, the goal is to keep the €60 mark off the consumables mark. “With new deliveries, I will go beyond my budget,” she explains. And it was for used appliances that she went to the Emmaus Campus store in the 1st arrondissement. “I didn’t even know it existed, I first came here to prepare for the start of the school year. I took four sets of pens, four notebooks and a notepad… All for 4.50 euros! – admires the student. Romane has been a fan of resource centers and association stores for several years now. “This is a really good economic, environmental, social plan… All these objects were in use, but they can still be used, so it’s a pity to throw them away,” the young woman explains.

In the south of Paris, students’ parents seek bargains at La Ressourcerie Créatif, an association store (14th century). Like Geraldine, who came with her two sons to find a square for the older one and colored pencils for the younger one. “Instead of buying a whole box of pencils, we only buy the missing colors. It’s stupid to buy a box of 24 pencils when we have 12 left at home…” explains the mother, for whom this approach to buying used pencils is economical, but above all, environmentally friendly. “We do this to reduce waste. For years we threw away and bought back what we already had…” she sighs. Coming here with her two sons, Geraldine also wants to send them the following message: “We try to be aware of this and buy only what we need.”