Household waste disposal is complex but governed by comprehensive guidelines in France. Recycling is being actively encouraged by the government in a drive to decrease waste. At present 89% of households recycle occasionally and only 51% do so regularly.
France recycled 45.1% of municipal waste in 2022, which is comparable to the UK rate of 44.1%, but below the EU average rate of 49.1% and far behind Germany, where 71.1% is recycled, according to Eurostat.
To improve France’s posture in this regard, and as part of the wider effort to fight pollution, President Macron set an ambitious target in May 2023 of recycling 100% of plastic packaging by 2026.
This is a seemingly impossible task, given that in 2018 France only recycled 27.8% of plastic, compared to 68% for Germany.
With increases to the taxe foncière, which includes the tax for waste disposal costs, and other communes charging based on waste volume, people have a vested interest in disposing of their waste correctly.
France is also cracking down on fly-tipping, with fines of €135 plus cleaning costs for perpetrators.
This symbol appears on items that should be put in the green glass bin Pic: Ademe
In the green glass bin:
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Glass bottles
Jars
You do not need to clean these items before putting them in the glass bin, only empty their contents.
Larger items, like broken windows, mirrors, dishes and bowls should be taken to the glass container at the municipal dump or, for reusable items, given to a reuse centre such as the charity Emmaus.
In theyellow recycling bin:
Paper and cardboard (packaging paper, pizza boxes, milk cartons, books and paper etc.)
Metal (tins, cans, spray cans, aluminium, metal lids)
Non compostable food waste (including certain types of wrapping)
This symbol appears on items that should be put in the bin Pic: Ademe
To yourlocal authority:
Larger items (mattresses, dishwashers, fridges)
Furniture
Communes are obliged to offer a regular collection service for large items, called encombrants. The collection dates for encombrants are fixed by each commune. In some cases, residents must first call the mairie to inform them that they have items for collection.
Contact your local marie for more information about this service.
To the municipal dump:
Rubble
Large packaging cardboard
Non compostable garden waste
Large quantities of loose materials
Each commune in France has a municipal dump assigned to it (although this is often in a neighbouring commune) where employees will indicate in which container you should put waste. Municipal dumps are free for residents for non-professional use.
Dangerous materials such as asbestos must be disposed of in special dumps. Contact your local authority for more information.
