Short answer
In 2026, a business must sort paper, metals, plastics, glass, wood, textiles and biowaste at source (plus mineral fractions and plaster in construction), sort office paper from 20 people upwards and, if it receives the public and produces more than 1,100 L of waste per week, offer visitors sorting of packaging and biowaste. From 2028, recycling bins will have to carry the harmonised European labels (PPWR). Sources (5)SService-PublicService-Public Entreprendre — Source separation of business waste (checked 17 March 2025)↗MMinistryMinistry — FAQ on 6/8-stream sorting↗MMinistryMinistry — Waste sorting: obligations for public-access buildings (ERP)↗EEUR-LexRegulation (EU) 2025/40 (PPWR), Article 13 — EUR-Lex↗CPublic Procurement CodeFrench Public Procurement Code, art. R. 2122-8 (amended by décret n° 2025-1386 of 29 December 2025)↗
Timeline of obligations
| Date | Obligation | Qui |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Source separation of office paper (D. 543-285 to 287) | Sites with more than 20 people |
| 2016 → 2021 | 5-stream sorting (paper/cardboard, metal, plastic, glass, wood), extended by décret n° 2021-950 | All businesses |
| 2021 | Mineral fractions and plaster | Construction and demolition waste |
| 1 January 2024 | Source separation of biowaste, no threshold (L. 541-21-1) | All producers |
| 1 January 2025 | Textiles added to the compulsory streams | All businesses |
| In force | Sorting offered to the public: packaging + paper, biowaste | ERP (public-access building) generating more than 1,100 L/week |
| In force | Annual recovery certificate before 31 March (D. 543-284) | Service providers, for producers |
| 1 April 2026 | Public purchasing without competitive tendering up to €60,000 excl. VAT (R. 2122-8) | Public buyers |
| 1 January 2027 | EPR for commercial packaging (EPRO) covering all commercial packaging | Packaging producers; support for collection from users |
| 12 August 2028 at the earliest | Harmonised EU labels on all packaging-waste containers (PPWR, art. 13) | All containers |
The details, question by question
- Sorting obligations for businesses (5, 6, 7 or 8 streams)
- Biowaste · Textiles · Office paper
- ERPs and shopping centres · Restaurants
- EPR for commercial packaging 2027 · PPWR harmonised labelling · Colours
- Annual certificate · Penalties
Sources
- Service-Public Entreprendre — Source separation of business waste (checked 17 March 2025) Service-Public
- Ministry — FAQ on 6/8-stream sorting Ministry
- Ministry — Waste sorting: obligations for public-access buildings (ERP) Ministry
- Regulation (EU) 2025/40 (PPWR), Article 13 — EUR-Lex EUR-Lex
- French Public Procurement Code, art. R. 2122-8 (amended by décret n° 2025-1386 of 29 December 2025) Code commande publique
Founder of PoubelleTri. Has designed and made recycling stations for businesses and local authorities since 2010: more than 16 years of B2B manufacturing experience.
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