France abandons nationwide mandatory deposit scheme

France has decided not to introduce a mandatory nationwide deposit return system for plastic beverage bottles, following months of opposition from local authorities, recycling organisations and waste-management operators.

The government announced that no compulsory national scheme will be implemented and that deposit systems may instead be introduced voluntarily by municipalities that consider them appropriate for local collection conditions.

The decision follows a three-month consultation involving towns, cities, packaging stakeholders and recycling companies.

Local authorities argued existing systems would be weakened

French municipalities have consistently opposed the introduction of a separate national deposit system, arguing that local authorities have already invested heavily in household collection, sorting and recycling infrastructure.

They warned that removing valuable PET bottles and aluminium cans from municipal collection streams could reduce revenues used to finance public waste-management services.

Local representatives also argued that creating an additional return system could make recycling more complicated for consumers while duplicating infrastructure that already exists.

Government changes course after months of debate

The proposal had returned to the political agenda earlier in 2026 as France sought ways to improve plastic bottle collection rates and meet European recycling objectives.

However, resistance grew among associations representing municipalities and recycling operators, which argued that improvements to existing kerbside and sorting systems would provide a more efficient route to higher collection rates.

The government ultimately confirmed on 4 September that a mandatory national deposit system would not proceed.

Voluntary schemes remain possible

The decision does not completely remove deposit return systems from the French packaging landscape.

Municipalities will still be able to introduce voluntary schemes, particularly in areas where separate collection rates remain below national and European targets.

This approach gives local authorities greater control over how additional collection measures are implemented while allowing France to test different models without imposing a single nationwide infrastructure.

PPWR sets 2029 deposit return requirements

The decision comes as EU Member States prepare for requirements under the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation.

Under the PPWR, Member States are generally expected to establish deposit return systems for single-use plastic beverage bottles and metal beverage containers of up to three litres by 1 January 2029.

Countries may qualify for exemptions where sufficiently high separate collection rates have already been achieved or where an alternative strategy demonstrates how equivalent collection performance will be reached.

France will need an alternative route to higher collection rates

Rejecting a compulsory national DRS does not remove France's obligation to improve plastic bottle collection and recycling performance.

Municipal associations have proposed alternative measures including improvements to household collection, additional sorting infrastructure, stronger producer responsibility mechanisms and initiatives to reduce packaging placed on the market.

The government will now need to demonstrate that these measures can deliver collection rates compatible with European targets without introducing a national deposit system.

Decision highlights different national approaches to DRS

France's position contrasts with several European countries that are expanding or introducing nationwide deposit return systems.

Portugal launched its national DRS in 2026, while the UK is preparing its scheme for October 2027.

The French decision demonstrates that implementation of European packaging targets may differ substantially between Member States depending on existing collection infrastructure, local government structures and recycling economics.