AGEC act: transforming practices to accelerate the transition
Adopted in 2020, the anti-waste law for a circular economy (AGEC) marks a major turning point in resource and waste management in France. It aims to reduce waste, encourage reuse, improve recycling and limit the use of virgin raw materials.
One of the key measures is the gradual expansion of sorting at source. From 2025, new streams will have to be sorted separately, including textiles, furniture, toys, building materials, cigarette butts and complex packaging. Another advance is that the destruction of unsold non-food products is now prohibited; these products must be reused or recycled, a world first.
The law also provides for increased traceability obligations, notably in textiles, where producers must provide information on product origin, the presence of hazardous substances, microfiber emissions and recycled content. To support this demand for transparency, the French government has launched the TrackDéchets digital platform to dematerialize tracking slips, limit errors and step up the fight against illegal dumping. Initially dedicated to hazardous waste, it is gradually being extended to other flows.
Finally, the gradual phase-out of single-use plastics has been set for 2040, with intermediate stages as early as 2025.
For the building and civil engineering sector, obligations have also been strengthened: specifications must now include the estimated volume of waste, sorting methods, collection points and associated costs. A deposit slip detailing the nature, quantity and treatment of waste becomes mandatory, on pain of fines of up to 15,000 euros.
EPR: extended obligations for producers and channels
The principle of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) obliges producers, i.e. those who place certain products on the market, to finance and organize the end-of-life of their products. With the AGEC law, its scope has been extended to include new sectors: building materials (PMCB), toys, furniture, sporting goods and DIY, textiles and cigarette butts.
For companies in the sector, this means strengthening collaboration with eco-organizations, improving traceability and reporting, and adapting to eco-contribution, a mechanism that adjusts contributions according to the environmental impact of products. This approach encourages eco-design and directly influences industrial and logistics practices.
national waste management plan: a structuring course
The National Waste Management Plan (PNGD) sets the main national priorities for waste prevention, sorting, recovery and reduction, in line with European objectives. It defines strategic orientations, provides a framework for the development of EPR channels, and sets targets for reduction at source and recycling.
Serving as a reference for regional and local plans, the NMPD guarantees national consistency, while taking account of specific regional features. It provides local authorities and businesses with a clear framework for anticipating regulatory changes.
the role of digital tools: from compliance to performance
In this context, digital solutions are becoming essential allies. Platforms such as AMCS Platform enable waste sector players to digitize processes, automate the management of regulatory documents, optimize logistics and ensure real-time traceability.
Artificial intelligence solutions improve collections by detecting contamination and preventing overflow.
AMCS solutions don't just guarantee compliance: they enhance overall performance, provide transparency and reliability, and pave the way for new competitive opportunities.
conclusion: a sector in the midst of change
The AGEC Act, the extension of EPR channels and tighter controls are forcing rapid change. But beyond the constraints, they open up prospects for a circular, more transparent and more efficient model.
Companies that invest today in the right tools will be better prepared to anticipate change, meet new expectations and turn compliance into a genuine strategic lever.