Understanding the AGEC Law

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The anti-waste law for a circular economy (AGEC) is a French piece of legislation designed to reduce waste: it encourages the reuse, recycling and repair of products in order to cut waste and preserve natural resources, biodiversity and the climate. It promotes a more circular economy. In this article, we break it down so you can understand it better, and we share a few ideas for applying it in the workplace and strengthening your company's eco-responsibility. Enjoy the read!

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The main points of the AGEC law

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The anti-waste law for a circular economy is an ambitious measure, dating from September 2021, that aims to gradually transform our system in depth. It addresses both producers and consumers. It contains 130 articles designed to fight every form of waste in our society.

The law is organized around five main pillars.

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Moving away from disposable plastic

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We use single-use plastic products very regularly in our daily lives: toothpaste tubes, laundry detergent containers, bottles of mineral water… The law provides for an end to placing single-use plastic packaging on the market by 2040. Reduction, reuse and recycling targets will be set gradually until that date.

Since 2021, many measures have been taken. The most emblematic are:

• a ban on giving away plastic bottles free of charge,
• a ban on manufacturing and importing single-use plastic bags,
• at least one drinking water fountain accessible to the public in venues hosting more than 300 people at the same time,
• a ban on disposable tableware in fast-food restaurants serving more than 20 customers at the same time, for everything consumed on site (washable, reusable tableware must be used),
• sorting of plastic packaging into the yellow recycling bin by all citizens in mainland France so that it can be recycled.

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Better informing consumers

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The law includes measures to make waste sorting more effective. Several measures have been designed:

• a single, easily identifiable logo on recyclable products
• clearer sorting instructions (in-store take-back of electrical and electronic equipment, dedicated collection points for batteries, etc.),
• harmonized trash bin colors across the whole country.

The law also requires manufacturers to inform consumers about the presence of endocrine disruptors in their products.

Likewise, internet and telephone operators must inform their customers about the climate impact of their digital consumption (the greenhouse gas equivalent of their internet and mobile usage).

Finally, the anti-waste law requires sellers to inform customers about the legal guarantee of conformity: it entitles them to free repair or replacement of a defective product within 2 years of purchase, whether the item is new or used.

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Fighting waste and promoting solidarity-based reuse

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For the first time anywhere in the world, the law bans the destruction of unsold non-food products and encourages donations to charities fighting poverty and to organizations in the social and solidarity economy. It also encourages manufacturers to manage their inventory better.

It further strengthens the fight against food waste by setting reduction targets for the food retail and catering sectors (a 50% cut between 2015 and 2025). Wholesalers will be required to donate their unsold goods to charities, and penalties are planned for destroying or damaging them.

The recovery of biowaste as biogas or compost (January 1, 2024) and the creation of reuse funds for recycling centers, reuse centers and other solidarity economy organizations are also planned.

Selling medicines by the unit, ending the systematic printing of receipts and rolling out packaging sorting bins in public spaces are further measures to fight waste.

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Taking action against planned obsolescence

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Since January 1, 2021, the anti-waste law for a circular economy has gradually required sellers of electrical and electronic equipment to display a repairability index on their products. The calculation criteria are based on, among other things, the price of spare parts. The goal is to present consumers with a durability index from January 1, 2024 (guaranteeing the product's reliability and robustness).

It also aims to make repair easier and encourage the use of spare parts from the circular economy. This part of the law covers furniture and electrical and electronic products.

Other measures, such as information on how long phones and tablets will remain software compatible or the creation of a repair bonus, are also part of the AGEC law.

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Producing better

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Finally, one of the flagship measures of the anti-waste law is to extend manufacturers' responsibility for the production of consumer goods and the management of their waste, by creating new polluter-pays schemes and a bonus-malus system.

• Polluter-pays schemes:

Six new schemes have already been created: tobacco products, toys, sports and leisure goods, DIY and garden products, building products and construction materials, and mineral or synthetic, lubricating or industrial oils. These schemes are designed so that the producers, importers and distributors of these products finance their end of life.

In addition, five more schemes will be created soon, covering cars, vans, two- and three-wheel motor vehicles and motorized quadricycles, chewing gum, single-use sanitary textiles, industrial and commercial packaging, and fishing gear containing plastic.

Under these polluter-pays schemes, producer responsibility organizations will have to meet quantified targets for the reuse, repair and ecodesign of products. In particular, products will have to contain more recycled material and be more recyclable.

• Bonus-malus system

At the same time, the law encourages more environmentally friendly products through a bonus-malus system. A product's environmental qualities are assessed according to the quantity of material used, the incorporation of recycled material, the use of sustainably managed renewable resources, durability, repairability, reuse possibilities, recyclability, the advertising or promotional purpose of the product and the presence of hazardous substances. Depending on these qualities, producers can receive a bonus or a penalty on the contribution they pay to their producer responsibility organization.

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Video summarizing the main points of the AGEC law: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZRpdFbsyS8&t=1s

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What is the link between anti-waste and the circular economy?

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All the measures we have just described aim to set new standards for the years ahead and to move our society toward a more sustainable and responsible model. But why is the concept of the circular economy so closely tied to them?

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What is the circular economy?

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The circular economy is an economic model that aims to optimize the use of resources while minimizing waste. Unlike the traditional linear economy, where resources are extracted, turned into products, used and eventually thrown away, the circular economy encourages the reuse, repair, recycling and recovery of materials and products. The goal is to build a more sustainable and resilient system, where resources are preserved and used efficiently throughout their life cycle. This approach also fosters innovation and collaboration between economic players to rethink production and consumption models.

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The close relationship between the circular economy and anti-waste

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The main objective of the AGEC law is to move from a linear economy, where we produce, consume and throw away, to a circular economy, where resources are used sustainably and waste is reduced as much as possible.

The anti-waste law and its measures therefore fit perfectly with the principles of the circular economy, promoting the reuse, recycling and repair of products in order to preserve natural resources, biodiversity and the climate. They aim to move our society toward a more sustainable and responsible model, where resources are used more efficiently.

Bringing these two concepts together was therefore obvious. And from that obvious fit came "the anti-waste law for a circular economy".

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How to apply this law in your company

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A few ideas for applying the AGEC law in your company

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The anti-waste law for a circular economy can be applied in companies in several ways:  

• Reduce waste: put internal policies in place to reduce the waste your company produces. This can include cutting the use of single-use plastic, setting up a waste sorting system and encouraging employees to adopt eco-responsible habits. For example, you can give your employees company-branded water bottles to replace bottled water, and reusable cups for the coffee machine.
• Encourage reuse: promote the reuse of products and materials within your company. You can do this by setting up equipment or material sharing initiatives between departments, by favoring repair over replacement, or by giving end-of-life products a second life through donation or resale. When it comes to managing your IT fleet, the Leasetic experts are here to support you!
• Promote recycling: set up an effective recycling system within your company. Make sure employees are well informed about recycling procedures and provide clearly labeled sorting bins. You can also consider working with local partners specialized in recycling to ensure your company's waste is properly managed.
• Raise employee awareness: organize training and awareness sessions to inform your employees about the challenges of the circular economy and the importance of their contribution. Encourage them to adopt eco-responsible habits both at work and in their daily lives.
• Work with committed partners: identify suppliers and partners who share the same values in terms of sustainability and the circular economy. Favor collaborations with companies that offer eco-designed or recyclable products, or products made from sustainable materials.
• Measure and improve: set up tracking indicators to measure the impact of your circular economy initiatives. Analyze your results regularly and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.

It is important to note that every company is unique, and the actions to implement may vary depending on your industry and your resources. We recommend checking the regulations specific to your country and working with sustainability experts to maximize the benefits of applying the AGEC law in your company.

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Leasetic experts support you in managing your IT and electronic assets

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Leasetic supports companies on their path to eco-responsibility! Our experts advise organizations that want to lighten their environmental impact while keeping their costs under control. In particular, with regard to the AGEC law, our experts can help companies manage the end of life of their IT and electronic assets. We offer solutions for managing waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) and for recycling. We are also in contact with donation channels, as a last alternative.

Our support in relation to this law is built around two main value propositions:

• Leasing and fleet management for your devices (take-back of devices for recovery),
• Asset recovery to extend the life of your equipment or give it a second life (fleet audits, equipment take-back and logistics, resale or WEEE processing of devices).

Leasetic positions itself as a trusted partner for companies that want to meet the environmental and social challenges of the 21st century. This approach allows companies not only to benefit from optimized IT fleet management, but also to actively contribute to the transition toward a more sustainable future.

Contact one of our experts today!

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