In France, national and EU-level regulations guide the recycling of construction and demolition materials to foster a circular economy and reduce environmental impact. The Anti-Waste and Circular Economy Law (AGEC Law) was a key milestone introduced in 2020. This law established Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for building materials, making producers accountable for the entire lifecycle of their products.
The EPR-system
The EPR system for construction, initially slated for launch in 2022, was postponed to January 2023 to allow for better preparation. It aims to support the free collection of 42 million tons of construction waste annually. By May 2023, producers began paying eco-contribution fees based on product type, supporting waste management infrastructure and recycling efforts.
The EPR requires producers, importers, and distributors of building products to take responsibility for the end-of-life of their products. The rules obligate them to set up collection points, fund waste sorting and recycling initiatives, and provide traceability and reporting. The system will be set up and managed by a few collectives, where the shareholders are construction companies.
With a few other collectives, Valobat will create a pioneering full waste management system, which will aim to ensure materials remain in use past a building’s end of life and minimise the environmental impacts of construction waste. This is designed to promote circularity initiatives like recycling and take-back schemes and build a cradle-to-cradle mentality into the industry.
Four EPR organizations were approved to oversee the system: Valobat, Ecominero, Valdelia, and Ecomaison. Each focuses on different material categories. Valobat, the most construction-focused organization, distinguishes 333 product types and applies differentiated fees (eco modulation) to encourage eco-friendly design—for example, PUR/PIR insulation has lower fees if designed for recyclability.
Legal framework
The legal framework requires sorting seven waste types (wood, metal, plastic, etc.) at the source. This aligns with the EU target of recycling or reusing 70% of non-hazardous construction and demolition waste by weight. Digital waste tracking and documentation systems are also expanding under the EPR scheme.
France’s EPR model provides a blueprint for integrating diverse building materials—from insulation to flooring—into a circular economy. While the system evolves, it sets a strong precedent for environmental responsibility in the construction sector.
Cedric Bruge, Managing Director of Kingspan Insulated Panels in France, said: “We’re constantly seeking new ways to actively participate in finding end-of-life solutions for all materials. The French EPR scheme and Valobat will make a tremendous difference to the building environment sector in France, creating a real platform and community that benefits us all. The solutions found there will also benefit other countries in Europe and beyond.”
Trouble in paradise
The rollout of France’s EPR scheme faces backlash following Valobat’s proposal to raise eco-contribution rates significantly—up to 82% for some products. Construction groups like Capeb and FFB criticize the move as unilateral and contradictory to promised consultations. At the same time, waste services are being reduced, such as no longer covering transport from warehouses and no guaranteed free collection for specific residual waste.
Observers see the price hikes as inevitable financial realism, noting that Valobat initially undercut competitors to gain market share. The system is maturing with over 6,000 waste collection points now open, but higher costs are emerging. A new 2024 decree redistributes costs, charging more for materials that are harder to recycle and less for highly recycled ones like wood. This forces Valobat to transfer funds to rivals like Ecomaison. Critics suspect Valobat’s move is a strategic pressure tactic to expose flaws in the EPR system.
Walther Ploos van Amstel.