On September 25th, the Senate took a significant step towards reducing waste by adopting the “anti-waste” bill in its first reading. This new legislation, which received unanimous support with only one exception, aims to address the issue of product destruction across a wide range of industries, including textiles, accessories, hygiene, and beauty products.
The Secretary of State for Ecological Transition, Brune Poirson, highlighted the staggering amount of non-food products, worth nearly one billion euros, that are destroyed each year. To combat this wasteful practice, the objective of the law is to penalize individuals and businesses who choose to deliberately alter unsold new products through methods such as incineration, bleaching, tearing, and more. Instead, the law encourages more sustainable alternatives such as donation, reuse, and recycling.
It is important to note that certain exceptions are in place for objects that pose health or safety risks in their reuse or recycling. This demonstrates that the law seeks to balance environmental concerns with the protection of public health and safety.
Furthermore, the scope of this legislation is comprehensive, encompassing the entire ecosystem involved in the production, importation, and distribution of goods. It applies not only to physical retail stores but also to e-commerce platforms, ensuring that waste reduction efforts are implemented across various channels of consumption.
The controversy surrounding the destruction of unsold Burberry products worth 31 million euros in the summer of 2018 brought this issue into the spotlight. Luxury brands have since been engaging in thoughtful discussions and taking action to address waste management. Antoine Arnault, Director of Communications and Image at LVMH, emphasized the importance of distinguishing between fast fashion and luxury when considering their environmental impact. LVMH Group, for instance, announced that 91% of the waste generated by its 75 Houses last year was repurposed through reuse, recycling, or energy conversion.
By adopting this “anti-waste” bill and with luxury brands like LVMH leading the way, France is taking a significant stride towards reducing waste and promoting sustainable practices in the fashion and beauty industries.
Useful Links:
– France TV Info – The Anti-Waste Bill and the Fashion Waste
– European Commission – Circular Economy
