France is one of the countries most invested in recycling and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in Europe.

Regarding recycling, France has set ambitious targets to increase its waste recycling rates. For example, the goal is to recycle 65% of household waste by 2025 and 100% by 2030.

To achieve these goals, France has implemented a number of measures, including:

• Expansion of sorting instructions: More and more materials can now be recycled, such as plastic, metal and glass packaging, as well as paper and cardboard.
• Implementation of selective collection: Selective collection is now mandatory in all municipalities with more than 20,000 inhabitants.
• Development of recycling Schemes: The government has invested in the development of new recycling Schemes, particularly for electronic waste and textiles.

With regard to EPR, France was one of the first countries to implement this system. EPR obliges producers to finance the collection, sorting, recycling and disposal of their products when they become waste.

This system has financed the creation of numerous recycling Schemes and has helped to increase recycling rates in France.

Here are some examples of the results of France's investment in recycling and EPR:

• The recycling rate for household waste in France is one of the highest in Europe. In 2021, the recycling rate for household waste in France was 65%, compared to an average of 42% for the European Union.
• France is one of the largest producers of recycled plastic granules in Europe. In 2021, France produced 1.2 million tonnes of recycled plastic granules, representing 10% of the total production of the European Union.
• EPR has created thousands of jobs in France. In 2021, the recycling sector in France employed more than 100,000 people.

France's investment in recycling and EPR has made the country a leader in this field. France is a model for other countries wishing to reduce their waste and develop a circular economy.

However, there is still a way to go.

For example, it is necessary to continue improving recycling rates, particularly for plastic and textile waste. It is also necessary to develop new recycling technologies to enable more materials to be recycled.

Despite these challenges, France is determined to continue its efforts in recycling and EPR. The country is convinced that these efforts are essential to protect the environment and build a more sustainable economy.

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