A Turning Point for Packaging & Recycling in France
On 5 September 2025, France published a new decree under the Environmental Code (Article L. 541-10-3) that reshapes the rules for producers using plastic in their products. This includes packaged goods, chemical products and containers, furniture, electrical and electronic equipment, sports and leisure items, DIY, and toys.
The decree, effective 1 January 2026, aims to encourage the incorporation of recycled plastics and to discourage the use of materials that hinder recycling. It introduces financial incentives (bonuses), minimum recycled content thresholds for certain products, exclusions for non-recyclable materials, and new traceability obligations.
Who Is Impacted?
The decree applies broadly across several Extended Producer Responsibility (REP) sectors. Impacted stakeholders include:
- Producers (manufacturers, importers, distributors) of packaged goods placed on the French market
- Producers of chemical products and their containers (including those with potential environmental risks)
- Producers of furniture
- Producers of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE)
- Producers of sports and leisure articles
- Producers of DIY and gardening products
- Producers of toys
- Eco-organisations approved in these sectors, their coordinating bodies, and waste management operators
If your business places any of these products on the French market, the new financial contribution rules and recycled content obligations will apply from 2026.
Financial Incentives for Using Recycled Plastics
According to Article 3 of the decree:
- €450/tonne for recycled plastic from other Extended Producer Responsibility (REP) sectors.
- €550/tonne for recycled plastic from the same REP sector.
- €1,000/tonne for incorporating difficult-to-recycle plastics (opaque PET, coloured PET, non-expanded polystyrene, PP, PEHD, PEBD) into sensitive-contact packaging (e.g., food packaging).
- For 2026 & 2027, this special bonus is set at €550/tonne for all difficult-to-recycle plastics.
Exclusions: No bonuses are available for:
- Composite plastics (plastics combined with fibers or minerals)
- Products containing substances that disrupt recycling
- Beverage bottles and chemical containers that incorporate recycled PVC
Minimum Recycled Plastic Requirements
The decree also sets mandatory minimum recycled content levels for certain products (Article 5, III):
- Plastic beverage bottles (excluding caps):
- At least 25% recycled PET by 31 December 2029
- At least 30% recycled PET from 1 January 2030
- HDPE bottles for beverages and chemical products:
- 0% until 31 December 2029
- At least 30% recycled HDPE from 1 January 2030
Only products that exceed these thresholds will be eligible for the financial bonuses.
Restrictions and Exclusions
The following products are not eligible for financial bonuses (Article 4):
- Products made with composite plastics (plastics combined with fibres or minerals)
- Products containing substances that disrupt recycling
- Beverage bottles and chemical containers that incorporate recycled PVC
Additionally, any product already subject to a penalty cannot receive a bonus (except in specific cases linked to recycled content).
Local Recycling Requirement: The “Proximity Principle”
To qualify for bonuses, the recycled plastic must come from nearby sources (Article 8):
- Collection, sorting, recycling, and incorporation must all take place within 1,500 km of France’s geographical center (46°29′38″N, 2°36′10″E).
- Alternatively, these processes may occur in another EU member state or in a third country with equivalent environmental standards.
This aims to cut transport emissions and strengthen European recycling industries.
Compliance Checklist for Businesses
To get ready for 1 January 2026, producers should:
- Audit your products – Identify which items contain plastics (packaging, chemical containers, furniture, electronics, toys).
- Calculate recycled content – Measure the percentage of recycled plastic per resin type (as per Article 5, II).
- Check minimum thresholds – Ensure beverage bottles and chemical containers meet:
- 25% recycled PET by 2029 → 30% from 2030
- 30% recycled HDPE from 2030
- Eliminate exclusions – Avoid composites, recycling disruptors, and recycled PVC in beverage bottles/chemical containers.
- Engage with eco-organisms – Confirm eligibility for bonuses (€450, €550, €1,000 per tonne depending on material origin and recyclability).
- Plan sourcing – Secure local or EU-compliant recycled plastic suppliers within 1,500 km of France’s geographical center.
- Ensure traceability – Put systems in place to document recycled content, yield rates, and material origins for audits.
- Prepare budgets – Account for both financial incentives and possible penalties in your compliance planning.
- Monitor ADEME reports – Annual evaluations may lead to adjustments in thresholds or bonus levels.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who gets the financial primes for recycled plastics under the new decree?
Producers in France who incorporate qualifying recycled plastics in designated product categories—including packaging, electronics, furniture, toys, and more—are eligible for financial primes.
How is local sourcing defined in the decree?
Recycling operations must be performed within a 1,500-kilometer radius of France’s geographic center or within approved EU/third-country locations. Full traceability is required.
When does the decree come into effect?
The decree applies from 1 January 2026.
Which products must meet minimum recycled plastic thresholds?
– Plastic beverage bottles (excluding caps): 25% recycled PET by end of 2029, 30% from 2030.
– HDPE bottles for beverages and chemical products: 0% until end of 2029, 30% from 2030.
How do the financial bonuses work?
– €450/tonne for recycled plastic from other REP sectors
– €550/tonne for recycled plastic from the same sector
– €1,000/tonne for difficult-to-recycle plastics in sensitive-contact packaging (e.g., food packaging)
– In 2026–2027, the bonus for difficult plastics is €550/tonne
Are all recycled plastics eligible for bonuses?
No. Composite plastics, materials with recycling disruptors, and recycled PVC in beverage bottles or chemical containers are excluded from bonus eligibility.
What is the “proximity principle”?
All steps (collection, sorting, recycling, incorporation) must take place within 1,500 km of mainland France’s center or in an EU/approved third country.
Who enforces the decree?
The French Ministry for Ecological Transition oversees the decree, with ADEME publishing an annual report on implementation and impact.
Final takeaway: France’s decree is both a compliance obligation and an opportunity. By integrating recycled plastics, meeting minimum thresholds, and ensuring traceability, businesses can not only avoid penalties but also unlock significant financial benefits. Preparing now will position companies to thrive in the French market from 2026 onward.