The French association UFC-Que choisir points the finger at the rate of recyclability of consumer products in France, described as significantly lower than its European neighbors.
For UFC-Que choisir the conclusion is clear: "Marketers are not very scrupulous about recyclability and France stands out for its significantly lower recycling rates than its European neighbors.» The association asks the public authorities to increase the pressure on producers to reduce waste at the source.
UFC-Que choisir publishes these conclusions within the framework of an action led by Consumers International. With 8 other consumer associations around the world, UFC-Que choisir has deconstructed, weighed and sorted the packaging of a selection of internationally available products to evaluate if they are recyclable and effectively recycled, and what information is provided to consumers.
"Impossible to recycle packaging
According to UFC-Que choisir, the problem lies at the source: "Deaf to consumers' demand for responsible consumption, manufacturers do not hesitate to put packaging on the market that cannot be recycled.»
The association points out that the main obstacle to recycling is multi-material packaging that disrupts the treatment process. For example, the Pringles potato chip tube with its aluminum-lined cardboard tube, metal bottom, and plastic cap would not be recyclable in any of the nine countries studied.
Plastic is still omnipresent
The advocacy group denounces the ubiquity of plastic to the detriment of more sustainable alternatives and its poor recycling rate. "While Portugal recycles 42% of its plastic packaging and the United Kingdom 44%, France comes second to last in the ranking with only 26.4%" UFC-Que choisir underlines.
