Total waste generation

In France, waste per capita production fell by 7% between 2010 and 2022, from 5 478 kg per inhabitant per year to 5 076 kg per inhabitant per year. It fell continuously through 2016, then rose up again in 2018 and fell down again in 2020, mainly due to the slowdown in economic activity due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, waste generation grew again, mainly due to the recovery of construction activity. Municipal waste accounts for around 10% of total waste (535 kg per inhabitant in 2022).

In order to achieve the global carbon neutrality goal that France has set itself by 2050, Article 3 of Law No 2020-105 of 10 February 2020 on combating waste and the circular economy (the AGEC law) introduces a target of a 5% reduction in the amount of waste from economic activities per unit value produced by 2030 compared with 2010. Over 2010–2022, GDP per capita was stable. Waste generation thus decreased from 166 kg per thousand euro of value added in 2010 to 138 kg per thousand euro of value added in 2022, a decrease of 17%. The 2030 target is therefore already well achieved.

The EU’s policy objective is to significantly reduce total waste production by 2030. If France continues this trend, this objective should be met.