How France’s new anti-waste laws will affect you

The French government has passed far-reaching laws to try and cut down on waste and boost recycling levels. The laws have now been officially added to the statue books but will be introduced in phases. Here’s what is happening and when.

The Loi relative à la lutte contre le gaspillage et à l’économie circulaire (law on the anti-waste and to a circular economy) officially came into force on February 11th, but its changes are introduced gradually to give businesses time to prepare.

The first tranche of rules doesn’t come in until January 1st, 2021, but over this year you will likely see some businesses bringing in the changes.

Here’s what the new law will outlaw and from when.

January 1st, 2021

• Throwing away non-hazardous waste that can be recycled (eg plastics, cardboard, green waste) will be gradually prohibited
• Aggressive advertising will be prohibited outside of sales in an attempt to cut consumption
• New single-use plastic products will be banned. This includes straws, stirrers, lids for takeaway cups, expanded polystyrene boxes (such as kebab boxes), steak sticks, balloon rods, plastic confetti and all objects made of oxodegradable plastic
• Distributing free plastic bottles in companies will be prohibited
• Drinks served in a reusable cup presented by the customer must be sold at a cheaper price
• Large businesses of more than 400 m2 will have to provide reusable containers (free or paying)
• Bulk retailers will have to accept containers brought in by consumers
• Distributing promotional gifts in mailboxes will be prohibited
• A network of drinking water fountains will be created in an attempt to cut the use of plastic bottles

• Bringing your own reusable containers will be possible in restaurants and takeaways