# Is office paper sorting compulsory?

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

## Short answer

Yes, for any site with more than 20 people that produces or holds paper waste: articles D. 543-285 to D. 543-287 of the French Environmental Code require office paper to be sorted at source and collected separately. This obligation applies independently of 6/8-stream sorting, including to public administrations.

## The text
Under articles D. 543-285 to D. 543-287 of the French Environmental Code, sites with more than 20 people that produce or hold paper waste must sort it at source and have it collected separately, whether or not they are subject to 6/8-stream sorting.

## In practice
A labelled paper stream in every office area: it is the first stream of an office sorting station, often alongside packaging and residual waste. See which recycling bin for offices.

## Sources

- Ministry — FAQ on 6/8-stream sorting <https://www.ecologie.gouv.fr/sites/default/files/documents/FAQ_Tri6_8Flux.pdf>

https://poubelletri.fr/en/reponses/obligation-tri-papier-bureau-20-personnes/ · more: <https://poubelletri.fr/en/reponses/> · <https://poubelletri.fr/en/llms.txt>