In the metropolis of Lyon, trash cans are overflowing due to the garbage collectors' strike.

Here in Saint-Genis-Laval, near Lyon.

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E. Frisullo / 20 Minutes

The Lyon administrative court on Tuesday recognized the taxpayers of the Lyon metropolitan area the right to be reimbursed for the “garbage tax” collected in 2016, 2017 and 2018. A victory for the CANOL association which has brought this fight to justice since 2011 and which has already succeeded in having the rates of the household refuse collection tax (TEOM) canceled.

Métropole de Lyon: the administrative court authorizes taxpayers to be reimbursed for the sums paid under the TEOM in 2016, 2017 and 2018 - Active Contributors from Lyonnais https://t.co/S29BcsCQml via @ canol_69

- CANOL (@ canol_69) October 27, 2020

For the association, the rates charged were considered "abusive" because "generating surpluses very clearly higher than the cost of the service".

The court considered that these rates were “illegal” for the three years cited.

It therefore granted the right to taxpayers of the metropolis of Lyon, "on their request", the discharge of the amount of this tax for the years 2016, 2017 and 2018.

387 million euros to repay?

This decision may lead the state to have to repay 387 million euros, according to the association.

“Despite several convictions, the Metropolis has continued to adopt excessively high rates, it is normal for taxpayers to be able to recover the sums paid,” said Michel Vergnaud of the CANOL association.

To be reimbursed, however, it will be necessary to wait because the Regional Directorate of Public Finance still has the possibility of appealing judgments.

"We will inform you if there is an appeal or not and the date from which reimbursement will be possible and its terms," ​​CANOL also indicates in a press release.

The metropolis has, for the moment, not reacted to the decision of the administrative court of Lyon.

Lyon

Lyon: Will the garbage tax, pinned down by the courts, be reimbursed to residents?

Justice

Lyon: The “garbage tax” once again pinned down by the courts

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