The AGEC law: if you haven’t heard of this French law to reduce waste, you should. Because it’s awesome.

If you live in France, you have experienced certain changes in stores and restaurants in recent years linked to the AGEC law, and probably without even realizing it.

The loi AGEC (anti-gaspillage pour une économie circulaire ; in English “anti-waste for a circular economy”) is this amazing French law was adopted in 2020 that has instated numerous concrete and no-brainer solutions to reduce waste.

Some examples:

• No more disposable tableware in restaurants: you thought McDonald’s switched to reusable plates out of their own good will, but no, it is actually THE LAW.
• No more plastic games distributed in restaurants: you thought McDonald’s was going all Montessori on your kids with their nice paper/carton toys, but again, it’s THE LAW.
• No more free distribution of plastic bottles in public & professional events: we’re back to seeing more pitchers of water with glasses. An easy switch, cheaper for all, and just so much classier!
• Receipts in stores/restaurants are no longer given systematically: I found it weird but really nice that people started asking me if I wanted a receipt. 9 times out of 10, no I don’t want a receipt, and I’m just going to throw it away immediately, so thank you for not giving me this thing I don’t want.
• All consumers can bring a reusable container to a retailer/restaurant: at lunchtime, it’s completely normal to see a line full of people waiting with containers to pick up their poke bowl. Easy and beneficial for everyone, and you don’t have a bin full overflowing with plastic containers at the end of the lunch hour.

And so many more!

A bit of greenwashing from Burger King since they make it seem like moving to reusable cups was a company choice when actually it is simply just…the (AGEC) law.

The scope of the AGEC law, broader than simply waste reduction, has five principle goals:

1. Eliminating single-use plastic packaging by 2040
2. Providing better and more transparent information for the consumer
3. Limiting waste and promoting a social & solidarity economy
4. Taking action against planned obsolescence
5. Improving production through eco-conception and making manufacturings more responsable for end of life product management

I love this law because when you look in detail at the 130 articles, they are clear, actionable and just make sense, for the environment but also for the consumer. They provide constraints for retailers and manufacturers but even so, they are complying and no one seems to be complaining.

The loi AGEC gives me renewed appreciation for the impact of legislation which when done well can be highly effective.

And most of all, this law shapes a system-wide transition away from the traditional linear system of extract → produce → consume → waste toward a circular economy more in tune with and respectful of our planetary boundaries.

What is a circular economy? From the Ellen MacArthur Foundation

Some next questions I’m curious about:

• How is the French government measuring the impact of these actions?
• Are other countries implementing similar waste laws?
• There’s one article I have qualms with: making recycling easier through a clear, unique logo. I’ve noticed that all packaging seems to be recyclable in France now, even thin, low-quality plastics. And I’m scared that this will have a “rebound effect” where people will think that since it’s recyclable, they can keep consuming. And consuming more. When actually, recycling is not a great solution. Recycling is energy and resource-intensive and should be a “last resort” option, and we should prioritize consuming less and no packaging first. But those articles are covered too, I think there just needs to be more emphasis on the fact/idea that recycling is the last resort.

If you can read French, I recommend checking out the law and articles in detail. https://www.ecologie.gouv.fr/loi-anti-gaspillage-economie-circulaire