In 2015, France set an ambitious precedent by banning certain single-use plastic products. This initiative culminated in the enactment of the AGEC law, which targets a complete phase-out of single-use plastic packaging by 2040.
Despite these efforts, progress has been inconsistent, as highlighted by Zero Waste France’s recent report.
“While successive legal measures have been introduced, their effectiveness has been hampered by numerous exemptions,” states the report. For instance, although lightweight plastic bags were to be gradually phased out from 2016, their usage persists.
A 2021 clarification under the AGEC law prohibited the production, import, or sale of these bags. However, exemptions for ultra-light bags, often used for hygiene purposes or loose food items, remain in place.
Even the thicker bags, which fall outside the “single-use” definition, evade the ban. The unintended result is a shift towards these alternatives, increasing the overall volume of plastic in circulation.
According to the report, “The measures have had a negligible impact on reducing single-use plastics, as thinner bags are still in use and thicker ones are becoming more prevalent.”
European Union’s role in strengthening regulations
At the EU level, the 2019 directive on single-use plastics provided stricter guidance. For instance, the directive prohibits the use of plastic in disposable plates, even in minimal amounts, and extends this ban to items sold as packaging, such as takeaway meals.
However, the implementation of these measures has been uneven across member states.
Cups, however, present a different challenge. The EU directive does not ban plastic cups outright but encourages a “significant and sustained reduction” in their usage.
France has taken steps to align with this directive, limiting the plastic content in cups to 8% as of 2024. Yet, the AGEC law stipulates that further progress is contingent upon demonstrating the feasibility of plastic-free alternatives by 2026.
“Technical constraints continue to hinder the complete elimination of plastic in certain products,” the report notes. For example, current solutions for waterproofing alternatives often involve the use of materials like PFAS, which pose their own environmental concerns.
Addressing structural challenges
Zero Waste France emphasises the need to move beyond single-use systems altogether. The report argues, “Replacing plastic with other single-use materials merely perpetuates the same consumerist and production-driven mindset.”
Products with reduced plastic content often become multi-material, complicating their recycling and reducing overall sustainability.
Some measures, such as offering discounts for drinks served in reusable containers, show promise but lack enforcement and public awareness. “These initiatives, while symbolic, place the responsibility on consumers rather than creating a systemic shift,” the report highlights.
France’s leadership in regulating single-use plastics reflects an important step towards sustainability. However, the journey is far from complete.
As the country moves forward, experts suggest that focusing on holistic changes, such as promoting reuse and rethinking production models, will be critical to meeting its 2040 goals.
