Garbage cans in Paris (illustrative image).

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Philippe LOPEZ / AFP

The French have reduced their waste production by 2% in ten years, according to a report from Ademe which looked at our trash cans.

On the other hand, the total volume of household waste collected annually in France continued to increase.

In 2017, the total quantity of household and similar waste in France (including both household and neighborhood shops as well as the volumes collected in waste reception centers) increased to 37.6 million tonnes against 36.7 Mt in 2007 (+ 2.4%), indicates the Modecom report, published this Friday by Ademe, the third survey of its kind in thirty years.

No more deposits in recycling centers

Individually, each French person has nevertheless reduced their own waste production by 2%, to 580 kilos per person per year in 2017, against 592 kilos in 2007, the report notes.

The difference is explained by the increase in the population, but also by the sharp increase (+ 32%) in waste disposal, to 14.2 million tonnes in 2017 against 10.7 Mt in 2007.

The individual decrease is also explained by the increase in the fight against food waste, as well as by the increase in shredding and composting in gardens, which have reduced the volumes of "green waste" in some cases, indicates to l 'AFP Marc Cheverry, Director of Circular Economy and Waste at ADEME, who coordinated the investigation.

Improve sorting

Between green trash, yellow trash, glass collector, and recycling center, the report notes a very sharp drop in the volumes collected in green trash (general purpose), and a slight increase in the volumes of yellow trash cans intended for recycling.

He also notes that sorting procedures could "be further improved".

"It is estimated that 80% of the content of green bins could be taken care of in recycling (yellow bin) or organic channels", adds Marc Cheverry, admitting that very few communities still offer organic waste collection services or bio-waste (Besançon, Grenoble, La Rochelle, etc.) which will be compulsory from the start of 2024 according to the law of January 1, 2020 relating to the circular economy.

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