French news outlet Les Echos reports that France has unveiled its plans to introduce a glass deposit system within the next two years as part of its comprehensive strategy to combat plastic waste and promote recycling. Under this system, supermarkets will be legally obliged to accept empty glass containers, with some supermarkets volunteering as test sites during the initial implementation. The government aims to phase out single-use plastics by 2040.
The introduction of the glass deposit system aims to boost the reuse of glass packaging, reducing the reliance on disposable plastics. To incentivize the adoption of reusable glass containers, a dedicated fund of €50 million will be available to manufacturers. The government’s objective is to achieve a 10% reuse rate for packaging by 2027.
Glass is energy intensive to transport and recycle. Reusable glass bottles have 85% fewer carbon emissions than single-use (FPF reported).
Secretary of State for Ecology, Bérangère Couillard, who is responsible for managing packaging and paper, also announced the launch of standard glass bottles and jars to further encourage food and beverage producers to adopt them for reuse purposes.
Reference
Anne Feitz (June 22, 2023). “Plastic pollution: the government reintroduces glass deposits.” Les Echos (in French)
Zane Lilley (June 23, 2023). “France moves to introduce glass deposit scheme in supermarkets.”
French Ministry of Ecological Transition (May 10, 2023). “Bérangère Couillard announces the imminent arrival in stores of a new standard range of employable glass bottles and jars, and bonuses for manufacturers and distributors who use them.” (in French)
