FR / Plan Plastique: the Government proposes a ‘voluntary and regionally tailored’ bottle deposit scheme

A voluntary, region-specific deposit scheme for plastic bottles is what the Government is proposing as part of the consultation process on its national Plan Plastique. “No mandatory scheme will be introduced at national level,” it announced on 4 September 2026.

To meet the targets set at European level - with 77 per cent of plastic bottles recycled by 2025 (a target not met by France) and 90 per cent by 2029 - the country “must step up its efforts”. Among the measures identified to make up for this shortfall is the return deposit scheme for recycling.

Feedback from stakeholders has, however, shown that plastic bottle collection rates are “extremely variable from one region to another”:
• Nearly 230 inter-municipal bodies, particularly in rural areas, are already meeting the 77 per cent…