Donation: An Eco-Responsible and Socially Supportive Solution

Reducing waste and preserving resources

Donation is fully in line with a circular economy approach, as it extends the lifespan of products. Rather than being destroyed or sent to landfill, unused items get a second life, thereby avoiding the waste of natural resources and limiting the environmental impact of producing new goods.

According to the Institut National de l’Économie Circulaire (INEC, the French National Institute for the Circular Economy), reusing and redistributing items can significantly reduce the carbon footprint of companies and local authorities. By donating IT equipment, furniture or clothing, organizations play an active part in more sustainable resource management.

Fighting material poverty

Beyond its environmental benefits, donation is a powerful lever for solidarity. By giving consumer goods that still work to charities or aid organizations, companies and individuals enable vulnerable people to access essential products.

Donations of clothing, medical equipment and hygiene products meet crucial needs for people in precarious situations. This social dimension makes donation a key tool of the solidarity-based circular economy, combining waste reduction with mutual aid.

A legislative framework that encourages donation

The AGEC law (French anti-waste and circular economy law)

Adopted in 2020, the AGEC law marks a turning point in the fight against waste. Its goal is to transform the production and consumption model in order to preserve natural resources and reduce the environmental impact of waste.

One of the pillars of this law is the ban on destroying unsold non-food products. This measure requires companies to prioritize donation or recycling, thereby promoting the circular economy. Companies must now plan ahead in managing their inventory to avoid overproduction and optimize the redistribution of products.

Stronger obligations for companies

Since January 1, 2022, companies have been under an obligation to donate their unsold non-food products. This provision applies in particular to hygiene products, childcare products and electronic equipment. Failure to comply with this regulation exposes companies to financial penalties, which is prompting many organizations to review their inventory management policies.

Donating unsold goods therefore not only reduces waste, but also meets the needs of many charities that struggle to obtain the resources they need to carry out their work.

Initiatives and guides to structure donation

Practical guides to support companies

To help companies and local authorities structure their donation approach, organizations such as INEC publish practical guides detailing the key steps and best practices to adopt (see INEC's publication on donation). These tools help organizations better understand their legal obligations and optimize donation logistics to maximize impact.

By integrating donation into their CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) policy, organizations can showcase their actions to their stakeholders and strengthen their commitment to a solidarity-based circular economy.

Events that promote a culture of giving

Initiatives such as Giving Tuesday, a global day dedicated to generosity and giving, encourage citizens, companies and institutions to give in various forms (donations of goods, money, time or skills). This event aims to raise public awareness and make giving an established habit in social and professional practices.

Thanks to campaigns like these, more and more companies and institutions are becoming aware of the key role they can play in the transition to a more circular and solidarity-based economic model.

Adopting a responsible and solidarity-based approach

Donation now appears to be an essential solution for reducing companies' ecological footprint while fostering mutual aid. It is a powerful lever for developing a more sustainable and inclusive economy.

At Leasetic, we help companies optimize and manage their digital equipment to promote its reuse and recovery. Would you like to integrate an eco-responsible approach into the management of your IT assets? Contact our experts to implement solutions tailored to your organization and maximize the positive impact of your actions.