Since January 1, 2023, disposable tableware in fast food restaurants is over, but that's not all! What does the AGEC anti-waste and circular economy law say? What are the new measures? Here is all you need to know.

New year, new resolutions! And it also goes through legal texts that aim to fight against waste, which is not only food. To limit the greenhouse gas emissions represented by the destruction of the annual 280 million euros of unsold non-food items, new provisions of the law on the fight against waste and the circular economy of February 10, 2020 came into force last year. From January 1, 2023, other measures are on the agenda, we detail them for you.

What is the anti-waste and circular economy law?

The AGEC law sets goals to reduce waste, phase out disposable plastics, fight planned obsolescence and waste while promoting reuse. Several axes are thus presented in the anti-waste law for a circular economy such as the progressive ban on single-use plastics by 2040, better consumer information (sorting, durability and repairability index, labeling of endocrine disruptors. ..) or the introduction of repair and collection services for used products for businesses in the toy, sports and DIY sectors .

AGEC law: what changes in 2023?

After the ban on plastic straws, the over-packaging of fruits and vegetables weighing more than 1.5 kilograms, the destruction by incineration of unsold non-food items or the establishment of repair services and collections of used products for certain sectors, the government announces new measures. From January 1, 2023, this is what changes.

Ban on disposable tableware in fast food restaurants

These are tons of daily packaging waste that are produced on French territory by the major fast-food brands. An alarming observation on which the AGEC law wishes to act. As of January 1, 2023, disposable tableware in fast food restaurants with more than 20 seats is prohibited, only wrapping around burgers is still permitted. A measure that only concerns, for the moment, on-site consumption. Everything will therefore have to be reusable from now on.

Two new sectors affected by the 'polluter pays' principle

In order for producers to take charge of the management of their own waste, the AGEC law provides for the creation of eleven new extended producer responsibility (EPR) sectors. Since 2021, tobacco products have been subject to it, since 2022, toys, sports, leisure, DIY and garden items, but also cars and vans are concerned. Postponed to January 1, 2023, the decree for the building site waste sector has now passed. And the tire sector is also affected by this measure.

Creation of a repair fund for the textile and furniture sector

From January 2023, TLC sectors (clothing textiles, household linen and shoes) and furniture will have to comply with financing the reuse and repair of their products, as FNAC, Decathlon or Darty are already doing. How ? Via the creation of a fund dedicated to financing the repair of products in these sectors. The objective is, like the repair bonus, to encourage consumers to repair rather than buy new.

'Buying new is participating in a veritable ecological disaster. But consumers are beginning to realize this. This is also why for the past few years, the second-hand market has imposed itself as an economic alternative, certainly but also sustainable.According to a recent study that we have just unveiled, if in the current inflationary context, the economy remains the No. 1 reason for buying second-hand, cited by 73.5% of respondents, the ecological motivation is close behind. closely, with 69.9% of respondents' , comments Ilfynn Lagarde, founder of the site for the purchase/resale of furniture and home appliance youzd .

End of automatic receipt printing

Postponed to April 1, 2023, these are ATM tickets, credit card tickets and promotional tickets. All establishments concerned must now offer a dematerialized version to their customers. Why ? In order to fight against the waste of this paper which is difficult to recycle and in which we find bisphenol F or S, an endocrine disruptor.

Which products are concerned by the ban on destruction of the AGEC law?

Many products are affected by the ban on the destruction of new non-food unsold items. Among them are:

• Electrical and electronic devices
• Clothes and shoes
• Hygiene and childcare products
• Ink cartridges
• Conversation and food cooking equipment
• Awakening and leisure products
• Books and school supplies
• The furniture

What happens to these unsold non-food items?

The law provides that unsold essential non-food items be donated to charities. The products would thus benefit people in precarious situations. In any case, companies will no longer be able to throw away unsold items but will have to reuse, reuse or recycle them. In the event of non-compliance with the law, companies are liable to a fine of up to 15,000 euros.

Source journaldesfemmes.fr