Recycling of Household Packaging in France: Legislation, EPR & Infrastructure Highlights
This page provides an overview of the report for France
Consult the report for Italy to see an example of a complete report that is freely accessible.
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France is a developed country located in Western Europe, with an estimated population of approximately 69.1 million people. About 81% of the population lives in urban areas, resulting in a population density of around 125 people per km².
The country achieves a packaging waste recycling rate of approximately 65.4% in 2022.
| Main Laws | French Environmental Code; Law No. 2020-105 (AGEC Law); Decree No. 2022-549 |
| EPR | Fully in place for household and professional packaging. CITEO is the leading PRO. From July 2026, extended to industrial and commercial packaging. |
| Bonus/Penalty Scheme | Active scheme incentivising recyclable design and penalising non-recyclable packaging Eco-modulation of fees |
| National Plastic Tax | None specific to France. |
| Labelling Requirements | EU harmonised rules apply. Triman logo mandatory on recyclable packaging from 2025, expanding to more product categories. |
| DRS | No nationwide scheme currently in place; the government shelved the proposed plastic beverage bottle DRS to focus on improving existing curbside collection. |
| PPWR | Applicable nationwide from August 2026. |
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Recent developments in France
Publication date: 15/10/2025
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Publication date: 18/10/2025
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Publication date: 10/06/2026 - CITEO PRO Accredited for Professional Packaging EPR Scheme
CITEO PRO has received official accreditation under the EPR scheme for professional packaging. The new regulatory framework, which mandates that manufacturers, importers, and distributors are responsible for the end-of-life management of their professional packaging, will enter into force on 1 July 2026.
Producers can now sign membership contracts with CITEO PRO to delegate this responsibility and ensure regulatory compliance. To support stakeholders, CITEO PRO will host a series of online webinars throughout June and July 2026 to detail their service offerings, tariffs, and the necessary compliance steps.
Publication date: 11/05/2026 - CITEO Publishes 2025 Quality Observatory Report on Sorted Material Performance
CITEO has released its 2025 Quality Observatory annual report, the national reference for measuring the quality of materials produced by household selective collection. The report is based on 1,434 characterisations carried out across 116 sorting centres and 16 recyclers, analysing 108 tonnes of sorted materials throughout the year.
The report also confirms the full nationwide deployment of the Extension of Sorting Instructions (ECT) across all 116 metropolitan sorting centres and details the structural transition of plastic sorting standards from 2026, organised around clear PET bottles, rigid HDPE/PP, and three development streams for mixed rigid plastics and flexible films.
Publication date: 27/03/2026 - France Launches First Chemical Plastic Recycling Plant for Packaging Waste
TotalEnergies started up France’s first chemical plastics recycling plant at its Grandpuits site in Seine-et-Marne on 19 March 2026, using pyrolysis technology developed in partnership with Plastic Energy to convert non-recyclable plastic packaging waste from household yellow bins into synthetic oil for petrochemical feedstock. The facility has an annual processing capacity of 15,000 tonnes and was developed in collaboration with Citeo and Paprec. Full production capacity is expected to be reached by end of 2026.
Publication date: 20/02/2026 - Zero Waste France Urges Municipalities to Drive Plastic Reduction Amid National Shortfalls
Zero Waste France has called on local authorities to leverage their regional powers to accelerate single-use plastic reduction as national progress stalls. Despite the Anti-Waste for a Circular Economy (AGEC) law mandating a 20% reduction in plastic packaging by 2025, current data indicates a 3% increase in packaging tonnage since 2018.
The non-profit highlights a "two-speed landscape" where pioneering cities lead through school catering reforms and procurement shifts, while many other municipalities struggle with basic compliance. Local authorities are being urged to move beyond simple material substitution and prioritise robust reuse ecosystems.
Publication date: 19/01/2026 - CITEO Joins EXPRA Alliance to Strengthen Non-Profit EPR Model
CITEO has officially announced its accession to the Extended Producer Responsibility Alliance (EXPRA), joining a network of 35 industry-managed organisations. This strategic move expands EXPRA’s representation to approximately 73% of the EU population, aiming to reinforce a coordinated, non-profit EPR model across Europe.
CITEO states that the partnership will leverage shared operational expertise to better assist companies in navigating the increasingly complex regulatory landscape, particularly regarding the compliance requirements of the upcoming Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR).
Publication date: 31/12/2025 - France Postpones Single-Use Plastic Cup Ban to 2030
The French government has officially delayed the ban on throwaway plastic cups, originally scheduled to commence on 1 January 2026, pushing the effective date to 1 January 2030. The Ministry for Ecological Transition cited technical difficulties in finding viable non-plastic alternatives as the primary justification for the four-year postponement.
A progress review is now scheduled for 2028 to assess advancements in replacing single-use cups. Additionally, the decree confirms that once the ban comes into force in 2030, companies will have a further 12 months to deplete existing stock.