Reusable tableware: 40 fast food chains promise to be in the nails "by the end of June"

Europe 1 with AFP / Photo credits: Benoit Durand / Hans Lucas / Hans Lucas via AFP 16:39 pm, April 27, 2023

Forty fast food or collective chains have presented their action plan on the implementation of reusable dishes, mandatory since January 1, aiming "a compliance of restaurants by the end of June," announced Thursday the government. At the beginning of February, the Ministry of Ecological Transition announced that ten brands had not yet sent an action plan: Compass Group, Restoria, 1001 Repas, Elior, Dupont Restauration, Starbucks, Domino's, Five Guys, McDonalds (West Indies) and Nabab Kebab.

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Only four brands say they comply with the law

Invited Thursday to review the compliance of their restaurants, "all brands have transmitted a corrective action plan, except for two of them," Nabab Kebab and Domino's, the ministry told AFP. Only four say they are already complying with the law. Since 1 January, fast food restaurants must use reusable tableware for meals and drinks served at the table, whether cups, lids, plates, containers or cutlery, in application of the law on the fight against waste and the circular economy (Agec), voted in 2020.

The obligation applies to restaurants with a capacity of at least 20 guests. While fast food has 40,000 establishments, "16 checks were carried out in restaurants" to verify the application of the law, resulting in "three fines" - two to Nabab Kebab and one to a Domino's point of sale - and eight reminders to the law, "said the statement. The fines are fines of up to 7,500 euros, and "daily penalties may be incurred if the restaurant does not bring it up to standard," the ministry said.

Companies will have to publish their action plans by the end of May

Restaurant controls will be "strengthened," says the government, promising a new meeting by the end of 2023, and companies "will have to publish (online), by the end of May, their action plans," said Bérangère Couillard, Secretary of State for Ecology, quoted by the statement. Some brands said they needed time to complete the necessary work to wash dishes or reported delays in the delivery of new containers.

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This measure should avoid "200,000 tons of waste per year", while last year "20 billion disposable containers and cutlery were thrown away" in fast food outlets in France, said Christophe Béchu, Minister of Ecological Transition and Territorial Cohesion, according to the statement.