France’s Bold Move on Plastic: A New Price Tag for Wasteful Packaging
On August 13, 2018, the French government rolled up its sleeves to pull the plug on plastic waste. A kudos to being eco‑savvy, the eco‑transition secretary Brune Poirson announced a bright new plan that’ll tack a cost onto every product that still wears the dreaded “non‑recycled plastic” badge.
What’s the Game Plan?
Picture this: two bottled drinks. One wrapped in recycled plastic, the other in straight‑up virgin stuff. Guess which one will afford your wallet a win? The recycled one. That’s because the law rewards companies for choosing the greener option, potentially cutting the price by up to 10%.
Cash‑Back for Clean Choices
- Recycled plastic packaging → cheaper for consumers
- Non‑recycled plastic → steeper price tag
- Goal: shrink the excess packaging that hogs up our shelves and the oceans.
Industry Mix‑Up
Zero Waste France’s Flore Berlingen is cautiously optimistic. “We’re hoping businesses will follow the beat so that consumers don’t pay the penalty,” she told AFP. Meanwhile, Emmanuel Guichard from the Elipso federation raised a flag: “Bottles are easy, but what about yogurt pots? No recycled plastic yet!”
Beyond the Numbers
Not everyone is chasing the full green era. Fanny Vismara, a proponent of the “plastic attacks” movement, says the plan is a “half‑meal” – it covers recycling but not cutting down plastic use. She gushes about glass being an “infinitely recyclable” hero.
France’s Multi‑Layered Approach
- Single‑use bags banned unless compostable
- Tax rise on landfill deposits
- Tax cut for recycling efforts
- Supermarkets like Carrefour and Leclerc pulling the plug on plastic straws ahead of the 2020 ban
Global Context
The European Commission is pressing the gas on single‑use plastics, nudging companies toward alternative materials. Meanwhile, global plastic production has ballooned over 40% in a decade, mostly for packaging.
So, What’s the Bottom Line?
France’s new pricing scheme is a step toward a future where your purchase bags are as kind to the planet as they are to your wallet. It’s not a silver bullet, but it’s a hefty splash in the right direction.
