Following intensive negotiations in September, the French Ministry of the Environment decided not to introduce a mandatory national deposit system for plastic bottles. Instead, the country is relying on voluntary, regional solutions implemented by local governments.
Local government associations such as France Urbaine and the Association des Maires de France (AMF) welcome the move. They have invested heavily in traditional waste sorting (the yellow bin). A deposit-return system would deprive them of valuable recyclables such as PET plastics and aluminum, leading to massive financial losses.
In addition, logistical hurdles would arise in setting up reverse vending machines.
The Conflict with the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR)
Experts doubt that France can meet the strict requirements of the new EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) without a deposit system:
The 90% target: By January 1, 2029, all EU member states must achieve a separate collection rate of 90% (by weight) for single-use plastic bottles and metal beverage containers.
The Exemption: An exemption from the deposit requirement is only possible if a country can demonstrate that it achieved a rate of over 80% in 2026 and 2027 and presents a clear implementation plan for reaching 90%.
The reality in France: The current collection rate is only about 58.3%. Without a mandatory deposit, achieving the EU targets is considered virtually impossible.
France's Alternative Strategy
Environmentalists sharply criticize this decision.
Local governments are calling instead for alternative measures to reduce plastic waste:
Targeted reduction of plastic bottles on the market.
Expansion of public drinking fountains and promotion of tap water.
Increased funding for waste management through extended producer responsibility (EPR system).
Developments in Other European Countries
1. Portugal:
Launched its national deposit system, “Volta,” on April 10, 2026. It applies to plastic, aluminum, and steel containers up to 3 liters with a deposit of €0.10.
2. United Kingdom:
Plans a synchronized launch on October 1, 2027, with a uniform deposit of 20p on PET and metal containers. At launch, system fees for producers will be capped at 0p for 15 months and will increase starting in January 2029 (provisionally to 0.6p for metal and 2.3p for PET).
3. Sweden:
The Returpack/Pantamera system was the first in Europe to receive RecyClass certification. This confirms the food safety and seamless traceability of the recycled PET plastic in accordance with EU standards.
France’s decision to forgo a deposit system is a risky experiment for the circular economy. Instead of financial incentives, the country is relying on municipal waste sorting and waste prevention. Whether this strategy will be sufficient to meet the strict EU targets by 2029 without incurring costly fines remains the big question.
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