French circular economy ‘roadmap’ devised
January 3, 2018
Consultations with the public have helped create the country’s route towards eco-sustainability.
The French Ministry of Ecological and Solidarity Transition has, along with a multitude of eco-organisations responsible for waste recycling in France, established a convention for what it describes as “the roadmap for the circular economy”, to be published in March of this year.
The ‘roadmap’, which has arisen from the July 2017 climate plan, is aiming to involve not only professionals in the field, but also ordinary French citizens in the circular economy, and hopes to “inform, educate, and engage” all parties when it comes to the benefits of eco-design, repair, and reuse, according to five key questions: How to better consume; how to recycle better; how to produce better, with fewer resources; how to mobilise all concerned to accelerate the circular economy; and what accompanying measures need to be put in place to support the transition to it?
The answers that arose from public consultation on these questions were varied, but most popular suggestions included the return of a deposit for glass, plastic or metal packaging, standardisation of sorting instructions, simplification of access to sorting in public spaces and businesses, education of young people, and community provision of individual or collective compost bins. Taxation of products with non-recyclable or superfluous packaging, or a short shelf life, was also proposed.
“This consultation is a success in terms of both participation and ideas,” said Secretary of State Brune Poirson. “For example, the plebiscite in favour of the return of the deposit, which would not necessarily have been initially retained by the experts because sometimes considered too restrictive, shows the importance of consulting the French directly”
Categories : Around the Industry
Tags : Circular economy Eco-friendly France
