France to expands its anti-waste laws from January
France made global headlines back in 2016 when it banned the destruction of unsold food products. From the start of 2022, this ban will be extended to other unsold items including electronics and hygiene products.
It will be illegal to destroy a range of unsold goods in France from January 1st - part of the government's objective of creating a "circular economy" and reducing waste.
Currently, some €280 million worth of unsold goods are destroyed every year in France, mostly through incineration.
From 2022, it will be illegal to destroy the following unsold items:
- Electronic products
- Textiles, clothes and shoes
- Furniture
- Ink cartridges
- Hygiene products
- Food preservation and cooking equipment
- Leisure products
- Books and school equipment
The government says that importers, producers and distributors are among the main target groups of the law. When France banned the destruction of unsold food products in 2016, food distribution charities benefited greatly. There could be a similar result as a result of this new legislation, with charity organisations seeing their stock rise.
The law allows fines of up to €15,000 for those who violate the new measures.
This legislation is simply an extension of a law enacted in 2020, which set out strict new anti-waste rules for businesses. For a guide to what you can or can't do as a business when it comes to waste, read our guide HERE.
The overarching aim of the French government is to limit environmental damage caused by economic growth and it's part of a series of anti-waste measures that have also targeted excess packaging and single-use plastics.
Comments (2)
See Also
It will be illegal to destroy a range of unsold goods in France from January 1st - part of the government's objective of creating a "circular economy" and reducing waste.
Currently, some €280 million worth of unsold goods are destroyed every year in France, mostly through incineration.
From 2022, it will be illegal to destroy the following unsold items:
- Electronic products
- Textiles, clothes and shoes
- Furniture
- Ink cartridges
- Hygiene products
- Food preservation and cooking equipment
- Leisure products
- Books and school equipment
The government says that importers, producers and distributors are among the main target groups of the law. When France banned the destruction of unsold food products in 2016, food distribution charities benefited greatly. There could be a similar result as a result of this new legislation, with charity organisations seeing their stock rise.
The law allows fines of up to €15,000 for those who violate the new measures.
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.