Management of recyclable waste by eco-organizations leaves something to be desired in France, according to a report

Packaging, textiles, plastic, electronics… From collection to selective sorting and up to the recycling phase, the treatment of recyclable waste in France leaves something to be desired and must be reformed, according to an official report unveiled by The echoes Friday August 2nd.

This report, submitted to the government in June, highlights dysfunctions within eco-organizations, these structures responsible for managing waste in sectors known as “extended producer responsibility” (EPR). While admitting “progress” accomplished in 30 years, the report notes “significant delays”on the recycling of plastic and aluminum in particular, and also criticizes “failures” in the management of eco-organizations by public authorities.

“The collection targets set by the specifications are not achieved in two thirds of the sectors for which data is available”according to the report drawn up by the General Inspectorate of the Environment and Sustainable Development (IGEDD), the General Inspectorate of Finance (IGF) and the General Council for the Economy, Energy and Technology.

The treatment of screens (waste electrical and electronic equipment), the chemical products or textiles sector are particularly far from their objectives. France has even already been fined 1.6 billion euros by the European Union for its delay in the treatment of plastic household packaging (23% is recycled while the objective is 40%).

Eco-organizations are also sometimes in a situation of abuse of a dominant position. The management of REP sectors by public authorities is also “bursts”for example with sanctions that are never applied. These organizations make 10 proposals to reform the system, such as the creation of an independent entity responsible for the management and regulation of the sectors.