Obligation to take back old furniture
Since January 1, 2022, the anti-waste law for a circular economy (Agec) requires certain furniture stores to take back old furniture free of charge.
The objective is in particular to limit waste and fight against illegal dumping.
The recovery depends on the surface area of the store and its turnover.
Sales spaces of less than 200 m2 are not covered by this obligation.
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Each customer must be informed of the return arrangements before checking out – or validating their basket, for an online purchase –, through a visible and easily accessible display.
The furniture can be picked up in store, upon delivery or at a partner collection point.
Stores that do not play the game face a fine of €1,500, and €3,000 in the event of a repeat offense.
Free return with equivalent purchase
Stores of 200 to 1,000 m2 are required to
take back used furniture free of charge
for the purchase of an equivalent new product.
For example, a corner sofa for a corner sofa.
For a sale in store and without delivery, the customer can bring their old furniture directly to the place of sale or in the immediate vicinity.
In the event of a sale with delivery, collection takes place at the place of delivery or at a local collection point in the case of products transportable without equipment.
Free return without purchase
Stores of more than 1,000 m2 must collect,
free of charge and without obligation to purchase
, furniture equivalent to those they sell, regardless of the weight and brand of the product.
It is therefore impossible to bring back an armchair if the brand does not sell one.
The store may, however, refuse furniture that presents a risk to the safety and health of the personnel responsible for the return (mattress contaminated by bedbugs, for example).
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What happens to the furniture we get rid of?
Furniture returned in good condition must be reconditioned and offered to associations fighting against precariousness or to social and solidarity economy structures.
If it is too damaged, it is recycled and transformed either into raw materials or into fuel.
According to Écomaison, an eco-organization created for the collection and recycling of used furniture, 1.5 million tonnes of used furniture and bedding were collected in 2022, 97% recycled (reuse, recycling, recovery).