France to Incentivise the Use of Domestically Recycled Plastics From 2026

France has confirmed it will introduce a new system from 2026 to reward producers who use domestically recycled post-consumer plastics in their packaging.

The recent decree from the French Ministry for Ecological Transition sets financial rewards tied to how recycled plastic is sourced, how hard it is to recycle, and the sector from which it comes.

The scheme distinguishes three levels of incentive: the lowest rate –    €450 per tonne – applies when recycled plastic comes from a different EPR sector; a higher rate – €550 per tonne – for recycled plastic sourced within the same EPR sector; and up to €1,000 per tonne for “hard-to-recycle” resins when used in food-grade or contact-sensitive packaging. The latter incentive will be reduced to €550 per ton during the first two years of implementation (2026-27) to allow industries to adapt gradually.

To qualify, packaging must meet strict eligibility criteria: products made from composites, those containing non-recyclable additives, pigments or coatings, or recycled PVC are excluded. Also, the full recycling chain, from collection through reintegration, must operate within a 1,500 km radius of mainland France’s geographical centre, within the European Union, or in third countries with environmental standards equivalent to those of the EU.

Producers will need to provide documentation on the quantity and type of recycled plastics used in their processes, certifying their post-consumer origin, resin type and compliance, and comply with monitoring by EPR organisations, including third-party audits.

Finally, the decree also mandates minimum recycled content thresholds for certain packaging: PET beverage bottles must include 25% recycled material until 2029, rising to 30% thereafter. For HDPE, the 30% recycled content requirement begins in 2030.

The move comes at a time when the UK’s packaging recycling sector is operating in continued commercially challenging conditions, with facilities under strain from low virgin polymer prices from overseas suppliers, high operating costs and reports of incorrect or fraudulent claims of recycled content. France’s approach provides a contrast to create value for producers choosing domestic recycled material.

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