The construction sector generates about 42 million tons of waste annually, equivalent to the total amount of waste produced in one year by all households in France.

To reduce this waste and its environmental impact, the 2020 law against waste and for a circular economy (“AGEC”) has established the creation of an EPR sector.

What is an EPR sector (Extended Producer Responsibility)?

It is based on the “polluter pays” principle applied to the construction sector: all actors placing construction products or materials on the French market must finance the waste management of these products at the end of their lifecycle. This cost is passed on to all buyers of these construction products. Everyone is involved!

In practice, RBM France is part of a non-profit organization approved by public authorities, called VALOBAT, which develops the EPR sector for construction. RBM pays an annual eco-contribution to VALOBAT, calculated based on volumes and a bonus/malus system for specific products. This contribution funds the optimal management of future waste.

Thanks to other members in the construction sector, the waste reduction and recycling system can be organized on a national scale, with greater efficiency and resources, far better than if each producer acted individually.

The goal of the EPR sector is also to encourage producers to adopt eco-design practices, reducing waste at the source (e.g., choosing durable materials to extend product lifespan) and facilitating recycling at the end of the product’s life (e.g., avoiding combining materials that are difficult to separate during recycling).

End-of-life construction products: what types of waste?

Construction waste is composed of:

    •    75% inert waste (about 35 million tons of concrete, tiles, asphalt, etc.), which does not decompose, burn, or react chemically. Most of it is used as quarry fill, with material recycling only accounting for 30%.

    •    23% non-hazardous, non-inert waste (about 10 million tons of wood, plastics, metals, etc.), which can potentially be recycled but is reused only 25%.

    •    2% hazardous waste (mainly asbestos).

Overall, the construction sector continues to send millions of tons of waste to landfills.

We can do better, right?

We’re counting on VALOBAT and will keep you updated.