The transition to a circular economy is amajor challenge for France, and the government has taken major steps to achieve it. This transition to a circular economy is part of the country’s ecological planning and will play a crucial role in thefuture national low-carbon strategy (SNBC) for the period 2025-2030.
Where does France stand in terms of the circular economy?
To understand the current state of the circular economy in France, it is essential to draw up an objective assessment. Unfortunately, it is clear that France is not on track when it comes to waste prevention. Too few resources have been allocated to this transition, whether by the State, local authorities or businesses.
An emblematic example of this situation is the law which aims to put an end to the marketing of single-use plastic packaging by 2040. To achieve this objective, the law sets an intermediate milestone of reducing the amount of single-use plastic packaging by 20% by 2025.
However, these measures have not yet had the desired effect, with plastic consumption increasing rather than decreasing. This trend has serious consequences for the environment.
The limits of the AGEC Act
The Law to Combat Waste and Promote the Circular Economy (Loi pour la lutte contre le gaspillage et à l’économie circulaire – AGEC) is a key element in the transition to a circular economy in France. However, there are many limits and difficulties to its applicatio Incessant backtracking and questioning have hampered the achievement of the objectives set, and the accumulated backlog will make it all the more difficult to catch up. For example, it was planned to end the sale of fruit and vegetables in plastic packaging, but this was strongly opposed by the industry and led to major delays in implementing the law. It is therefore clear that the AGEC law, while necessary, is not sufficient to completely transform the French economy into a circular economy.
Beyond waste management
Zero Waste France, an organisation committed to promoting the circular economy and waste reduction, points out that in many current discussions,the circular economy is still too often reduced to a simple question of waste management. But the circular economy is much more than that. It’s a fundamental change in the way we design, produce and consume products. It aims to reduce waste, extend product life and minimise environmental impact. To make this transition a success, we need to look at the circular economy as a whole, and not just waste management.
From the linear economy to the circular economy: choices for society
The circular economy represents a radical departure from the traditional linear economy, which is based on a « take, make, consume, throw away » consumption model. The circular economy seeks tomaximise the lifespan of products and resources by keeping them active in the economy for as long as possible. It is based on several fundamental pillars, including reducing, reusing, reclaiming and recycling. Each of these aspects offers opportunities to reduce our ecological footprint and contribute to the fight against climate change.
The 9Rs of the circular economy
The circular economy goes well beyond the traditional 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) often evoked in the environmental context. It incorporates9 key dimensions, often summarised by the 9Rs:Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Renew, Rehabilitate, Recycle, Recover and Remake. Each of these ‘R’s represents a different stage where efficiency can be improved and waste reduced. For example, « Repair » can extend the life of a product by several years, while « Refuse » means making a conscious decision not to participate in a system that encourages waste, such as refusing to use single-use plastic packaging. These principles are fundamental to a successful transition to a circular economy.
The environmental impact of the circular economy
Adopting the circular economy can have a significant impact on the environment. According to a study published by theFrench Environment and Energy Management Agency (ADEME) in France, the implementation of circular practices in the construction, agri-food and textile sectors could reduce CO2 emissions in these sectors by 20-50%. This reduction in greenhouse gas emissions is essential if we are to combat climate change and limit its consequences.
The costs of this transition
However, it is important to recognise that the transition to a circular economy is not without its challenges, particularly in terms of upfront costs. Integrating this approach can require significant investment. For example, purchasing modern recycling equipment, updating production facilities to incorporate recycled materials, providing specialised training for employees and raising customer awareness are all costs that can weigh heavily on companies.
With the circular economy in mind, CircularPlace has developed a marketplace marketplace for the resale of your equipment, goods and unsold non-food items between professionals, and puts you in touch with voluntary organisations to recover your products.
You can also opt for a white label solution that will allow your company to circularize your equipment internally and to engage your employees around ecological themes.
Don’t throw away any more, opt for the second hand!
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