France wants to get rid of single-use plastic packaging by 2040

This is a first: France has set itself an objective of "

phasing out single-use plastic packaging

" by 2040 but on an incentive basis, without providing at this stage for sanctions for manufacturers who would continue to do so. use.

Read also: Meal delivery: companies sign a charter to reduce waste and single-use packaging

As a first step, this “

3R

”

decree

(Reduce, reuse, recycle) published on April 30 by the Ministry of Ecological Transition sets the objective of reducing single-use plastic packaging by 20% by the end of 2025, of which at least half obtained by recourse to reuse and reuse.

It concerns all products and all types of plastic packaging, whether household, industrial or commercial, including those qualified as biodegradable or bio-based.

This decree is linked to the anti-waste law for a circular economy (Agec), voted in February 2020. The Citizens' Convention for the Climate had requested an exit of single-use plastic packaging.

Second stated objective: strive for a 100% reduction in single-use plastic packaging deemed “

unnecessary

” such as plastic blisters around batteries or bulbs, by 2025.

The third wants "to

move towards 100% recycling of single-use plastic packaging by January 1, 2025

", which involves the obligation to put recyclable materials on the market.

Tubes of toothpaste, cans of laundry ... plastic packaging represents in France some 2.2 million tonnes marketed each year, according to the ministry.

Their reuse is poorly developed and their recycling rate, of 27%, is "

low

", admits the ministry.

A “

reuse observatory

” to assess progress

This decree "

falls within the limits of the law and European law

" adds to the ministry to explain the absence of planned sanctions.

“

To be in accordance with the free movement of goods, there is no ban or sanction and these are collective objectives

”.

“

But financial incentives

” may intervene, we add.

In the absence of precise data on the volumes of plastic used by industry and commerce each year, the ministry is counting on a “

reuse observatory

” that Ademe will set up to record the progress made.

The objective is to carry out a first quantitative progress report on December 31, 2023, specifies a source at the ministry.

Regarding yoghurt pots, which are widely consumed in France but in reality hardly ever recycled or reused even if they are collected in sorting bins, several manufacturers have recently shown closed-loop reuse projects (reuse of yogurt for yogurt), underlines the ministry.

Read also: The government launches a national label "anti food waste"

"

These projects could give rise to an operational sector in 2025

" added the same source.

Until then, the pots will continue to pose "

an environmental question

", the same source admitted.