what will change and what does the law say?

The adoption of the law relating to the fight against waste and the circular economy (the anti-waste law) in France in February 2020 marks an important turning point in the way we consume and manage our waste. This law provides that source sorting of bio-waste will become compulsory from December 31, 2023, and that composting will become compulsory in France from January 1, 2024.

What is the anti-waste law?

The law on the fight against waste and the circular economy (the anti-waste law) was adopted in France on February 10, 2020. This law provides for a number of measures to reduce food waste and promote healthier behaviors. responsible. It provides in particular:

• The obligation for households and professionals to sort their bio-waste at source from December 31, 2023;
• The development of individual and collective composting in France;
• The implementation of systems for the selective collection of bio-waste by the end of 2023;
• The implementation of incentive systems to encourage responsible behavior;
• The implementation of systems for the revaluation of end-of-life products;
• The implementation of food donation and unsold food prevention systems.

What is composting?

Composting is a technique for recovering organic waste which consists of biologically degrading bio-waste through the action of micro-organisms. Bio-waste can be divided into two main categories: food waste (or “kitchen and table waste”) and green waste from garden maintenance.

Composting can be done using home composters or compost bins. Collective composters or shared composters can also be set up for collective composting. The organic matter making up the bio-waste is thus degraded and transformed into nutrient-rich compost that can be used in gardens and vegetable patches to improve soil quality.

Composting bio-waste also helps limit methane emissions, a greenhouse gas 25 times more powerful than CO2. Bio-waste can also be recovered by methanization, which consists of transforming bio-waste into biogas (mainly methane) through the action of anaerobic bacteria.

What will change with the entry into force of the composting obligation?

With the entry into force of the composting obligation on January 1, 2024, households and professionals will be required to sort and recover their bio-waste through composting or methanisation.

Local authorities will also be required to set up systems for the selective collection of bio-waste by the end of 2023.

Incentive mechanisms should also be put in place to encourage responsible behaviour, such as repair bonuses, subsidies for the purchase of eco-responsible products, or even deposit systems to encourage the reuse of products.

Finally, the fight against food waste will be encouraged by setting up food donation and unsold food prevention schemes.

How can French citizens prepare for the composting obligation?

French citizens can prepare for mandatory composting by taking the following steps:

• Invest in a home composter or compost bin for sorting food and green waste;
• Find out about composting and the right things to do to sort and recycle your bio-waste;
• Raise awareness among loved ones about responsible actions;
• Contact your town hall to find out the procedures for the selective collection of bio-waste.

2024 finally announces change in terms of waste recovery

The transition to a more circular economy is a necessity to limit waste and climate change. The implementation of the composting obligation on January 1, 2024 is an important step towards achieving this objective.

French citizens can prepare for the entry into force of the law by investing in a composter or a composting bin, by learning about composting and its good practices, by raising awareness among those around them, and by contacting their town hall to find out the procedures for the selective collection of bio-waste.