AGEC Act: driving the shift to a Circular Economy
Enacted in 2020, France’s Anti-Waste for a Circular Economy Law (AGEC) represents a significant step forward in sustainable resource and waste management. Its goals include reducing waste, promoting reuse, enhancing recycling, and limiting reliance on virgin raw materials.
Key measures include the progressive rollout of source separation. By 2025, new waste streams—such as textiles, furniture, toys, building materials, cigarette butts, and complex packaging—must be sorted separately. Notably, the destruction of unsold non-food items is now banned, requiring them to be reused or recycled—a global first.
The law also introduces stricter traceability requirements, particularly for textiles. Producers must disclose product origin, the presence of hazardous substances, microfiber emissions, and recycled content. To support this transparency, the French government launched TrackDéchets, a digital platform to streamline waste tracking, reduce errors, and combat illegal dumping. Initially focused on hazardous waste, the platform is being expanded to cover additional waste streams.
In parallel, the law targets the complete phase-out of single-use plastics by 2040, with key milestones beginning in 2025.
The construction and civil engineering sectors face new requirements as well. Project specifications must now detail estimated waste volumes, sorting and collection processes, and related costs. A waste deposit slip documenting type, quantity, and treatment is mandatory, with non-compliance subject to fines of up to €15,000.
EPR: expanded responsibilities for Producers
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) requires producers—those placing products on the market—to finance and manage their products' end-of-life. Under the AGEC law, EPR has been expanded to cover new sectors, including building materials (PMCB), toys, furniture, sports and DIY goods, textiles, and cigarette butts.
For businesses, this expansion means closer collaboration with eco-organizations, enhanced traceability and reporting, and the adoption of eco-contributions—fees adjusted based on a product's environmental impact. This model promotes eco-design and drives changes in industrial and logistics practices.
National Waste Management Plan: a strategic framework
France’s National Waste Management Plan (PNGD) outlines key priorities for waste prevention, sorting, recovery, and reduction in alignment with EU targets. It sets strategic directions, supports the development of EPR schemes, and defines source reduction and recycling goals.
As a reference point for regional and local planning, the PNGD ensures national coherence while accommodating regional specificities. It offers local authorities and businesses a clear framework to anticipate and adapt to regulatory developments.
digital tools: from compliance to competitive advantage
Digital solutions are playing a crucial role in modern waste management. Platforms like the AMCS Platform help industry players digitize workflows, automate regulatory documentation, optimize logistics, and ensure real-time traceability.
AI-powered tools further enhance efficiency by detecting contamination and preventing overflows during collection.
Beyond compliance, AMCS solutions drive performance, transparency, and reliability—unlocking new competitive advantages for businesses in the sector.
conclusion: a sector in transformation
The AGEC Act, expanded EPR schemes, and stricter regulations are accelerating change across the waste management sector. While challenging, these shifts present opportunities to build a more circular, transparent, and efficient model.
Businesses that invest now in the right tools will be well-positioned to stay ahead of regulatory changes, meet evolving expectations, and turn compliance into a strategic advantage.