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The implementation of acircular economy strategy, which has already been initiated by many economic players, makes it possible to transform the dangers and constraints associated with the growing scarcity of resources into opportunities that create social, societal and environmental value. While the progress made is undeniable, there are still many steps to be taken before all the objectives set can be achieved. Here's a closer look at some of the key measures applicable to the industrial sector.
The circular economy: preserving resources
According to the United Nations Environment Programme UNEP, resource extraction increased twelvefold between 1900 and 2015, and is set to double again by 2050. Our resource extraction far exceeds the Earth's biocapacity, i.e. its capacity to regenerate renewable resources, supply non-renewable resources and absorb waste. Against this backdrop of urgency, all stakeholders (businesses, researchers, public authorities, local authorities, associations and citizens) are urged to embark on the transition to a circular economy.
Thecircular economy can be defined as an economic model. Ideally, this model operates in a loop, systematically reusing the waste it generates. It aims to minimize the consumption of non-renewable resources right from the design stage of products and services. It also aims to increase their durability and systematize the reuse, recycling or material recovery of materials at the end of their life cycle.
Focus on a few key measures applicable to the industrial sector. The aim of these measures is to apply the hierarchy of waste treatment methods in practice, and to encourage the first levels of this hierarchy: waste prevention, preparation for re-use and material recovery.
Preventing the production of non-recyclable waste: bans on the marketing of plastic articles
With a view to preventing waste production, the law of October 30, 2018, for balanced trade relations in the agricultural and food sector and healthy, sustainable food accessible to all has amended article L. 541-10-5 of the Environmental Code. Objective: to limit the availability of plastic items.
As of January 1, 2020, plastic straws, cutlery, steak picks, disposable glass lids, meal trays, ice cream tubs, salad bowls, cans and drink stirring sticks will be banned. So many plastic products, whose lifespan often does not exceed that of one meal. Products that will no longer find their way into the waste treatment circuit, despite their compulsory sorting.
Preparing for reuse: reinforcing and simplifying the waste-disposal procedure
To facilitate the waste recovery process, certain administrative procedures have been simplified and extended, such as the procedure for declining waste status.
Example: by an order of December 11, 2018, new wastes are admitted to the procedure for removal from waste status. These include certain packaging, tires, textiles, waste furnishing elements (WEEE) and printer cartridges.
In order to simplify the adoption of orders setting the criteria for removal from waste status, the decree of October 22, 2018 removed the need for the opinion of the consultative commission on waste status, which was required for the establishment of ministerial orders for removal from waste status.
This is a strong sign of the shift from a logic of consumption and disposal to one of reuse.
Encouraging material recovery: tax incentives for waste recycling
The general tax on polluting activities (TGAP) applied to waste storage facilities (landfills) has been revised upwards by the Finance Act. The tax will gradually increase until 2025, reaching 65 euros per tonne of landfilled waste.
Incineration plants are also affected by this rate increase: between 15 and 25 euros per tonne of waste incinerated in 2025, depending on the incinerator's operating mode. Here again, a strong signal: recycling will finally cost less than energy recovery and waste disposal.
Progress in the circular economy, but still a long way to go to achieve "zero waste
While the Roadmap for the Circular Economy (FREC), presented in May 2018, seems to be making progress, there are still many steps to be taken before we reach all the targets set.
The February 10, 2020 law on the fight against waste and the circular economy now sets a regulatory framework to accelerate the change in production and consumption models with the aim of reducing waste and preserving natural resources, biodiversity and the climate.