# Can a local authority buy recycling bins without a call for tenders?

By Razvan Toma (Founder, PoubelleTri) · updated 2026-09-25

## Short answer

Yes, below €60,000 excl. VAT. Since 1 April 2026, article R. 2122-8 of the French Public Procurement Code, amended by décret n° 2025-1386 of 29 December 2025, allows a public buyer to award a supply contract without prior advertising or competition below €60,000 excl. VAT (previously €40,000). The buyer must still use public money wisely and must not artificially split its requirement.

## The threshold
€60,000 excl. VAT for supplies and services from 1 April 2026; €100,000 excl. VAT for works. Beyond these thresholds, an adapted or formalised procedure applies depending on the amounts.

## What €60,000 represents
At median French market prices (PoubelleTri Index, September 2026), about 61 three-stream sorting stations at €979 excl. VAT. Work out a budget.

## Payment
The overall payment period for local authorities is 30 days; for late payment, default interest and a flat €40 recovery fee are due automatically. PoubelleTri issues an invoice excl. VAT and accepts payment by bank transfer.

## Sources

- French Public Procurement Code, art. R. 2122-8 (amended by décret n° 2025-1386 of 29 December 2025) <https://www.code-commande-publique.com/article-r2122-8/>
- Préfecture de la Meuse — public procurement simplification measures (5 January 2026) <https://www.meuse.gouv.fr/contenu/telechargement/34748/248299/file/2026_01_05_fi_n2_CP_mesures_simplification.odt.pdf>
- French Senate — written question on the overall payment period (2025) <https://www.senat.fr/questions/base/2025/qSEQ250303935.html>
- PoubelleTri Index — prices of professional recycling bins (Sept. 2026) <https://poubelletri.fr/en/donnees/>

https://poubelletri.fr/en/reponses/achat-poubelles-tri-collectivite-sans-appel-offres/ · more: <https://poubelletri.fr/en/reponses/> · <https://poubelletri.fr/en/llms.txt>