Our Story
Who we are, how we got here and where we are going
How It All Began
Back in early 2019, a handful of friends in Morzine found themselves chatting about plastic—specifically, how to use less of it. What started as a simple idea around a kitchen table quickly snowballed into Montagne Verte: a small but mighty mission to spark positive change in the valley.
We began by running fun community events, building an online presence, and sharing easy ways to cut down on waste. Meanwhile, governments across the globe were announcing climate and ecological emergencies, and we realised something important: the challenge was bigger than plastic… and bigger than Morzine. Montagne Verte needed to grow.
The Early Days
As more locals and business owners joined in, it became clear that our valley was full of people who care deeply about the mountains and want to protect them. The momentum was unmistakable.
So we broadened our focus. Sustainability became our whole mission—Circular economy, mobility, waste, housing, food, energy… if it affects life in the Alps, we want to help tackle it.
By August 2019, Montagne Verte officially became a not-for-profit public-benefit association. We were also recognised as an organisation of general interest in environmental protection. Local residents and businesses got behind us to support our work.
Growing With the Valley
Thanks to generous donations from local residents and businesses, we were able to hire staff and bring our ideas to life.
Our first projects looked at sustainable travel, from lift-sharing to the launch of the AlpinExpress pass, which encourages train travel to the mountains. In 2021, we opened our beloved second-hand shop—our first big step into the circular economy and the world of clothing waste. With help from our friends at One Tree in Bozel we started “de-logoing” uniform jackets to keep high quality ski wear in circulation.
Food waste joined the adventure in 2023 with BioCyclette, and by 2025 we were leading an innovative study into food-waste solutions for the entire Haut Chablais.
All the while, we kept doing what we love most: bringing people together. From workshops and talks to community meet-ups, our events calendar has grown as fast as our mountain enthusiasm—including our very first Green Housing Fair in late 2025.
Today, Montagne Verte is a thriving hub—online and in person—bringing together resources like the Green Pages, Eco Guides, our Second-Hand Shop, BioCyclette, AlpinExpress, and a mountain of other projects and achievements powered by community energy.
The Team
Behind Montagne Verte is a dedicated Conseil d’Administration made up of French and English locals from all sorts of professional backgrounds. They set the direction, while our General Manager, Friperie Manager, and a core team of committed volunteers make the day-to-day magic happen.
Surrounding them is a much wider network of passionate volunteers who help run events, support the shop, and take on all kinds of behind-the-scenes tasks that keep Montagne Verte moving forward.
And of course, none of this would exist without our members. If you’d like to be part of the adventure—whether as a supporter, a volunteer, or simply someone who wants to make our valley greener—we’d love to have you with us.
Join us, and help shape a brighter future for our mountains
