Plastic packaging bans rejected in France

A proposed ban on plastic packaging for fresh fruits and vegetables has been rejected, and efforts to eliminate plastic containers in school canteens were partially undone. A planned "plastic tax" targeting single-use packaging was also dismissed, according to recent reports. These regulatory attempts aimed at reducing plastic use have encountered strong opposition from industry groups.

High volume of single-use plastic in France

France uses over 110 billion single-use packaging items annually, but only a quarter of these are collected for recycling. This low recycling rate has caused the French government to owe 1.5 billion euros annually in penalties to the European Union for failing to meet recycling targets. The problem remains significant despite environmental concerns.

Lobbying efforts by industry groups

According to a report by the environmental NGO Zero Waste France, 125 industrial actors have been involved in lobbying against plastic regulations. Of these, 34 dedicated more than half of their influence to this issue. In 2025, these actors spent 24.3 million euros on lobbying activities, a large sum compared to the 22 billion euros annual turnover of the plastic packaging industry in 2024.

Key lobbying strategies identified

Zero Waste France outlines three main lobbying strategies: "agitators" who engage in direct lobbying, "technicians" who use technical arguments like life cycle analysis (LCA), and "discreet" actors who operate through political networks. These strategies aim to influence legislation and public opinion in favor of industry interests.

Examples of industry lobbying tactics

Several organizations have used specific tactics to influence policy. Elipso secured 17 meetings with government officials, leading to the abolition of a plastic tax. Plastalliance regularly challenges unfavorable decrees in court, while Polyvia uses LCA to support its arguments and has published a white paper for political candidates. Other groups, like Ania, maintain close ties with high-level officials and fund parliamentary clubs.

Influence of major companies through Citeo

Citeo, an eco-organization approved by the French government, is governed by representatives from major companies like L'Oréal, Nestlé, and Carrefour, as well as banks like Société générale. This organization participates in shaping regulations and public debates, often aligning with corporate interests rather than the general public's needs.

Environmental groups face funding gap

Civil society organizations, including NGOs like Zero Waste France and the Surfrider Foundation, have invested only 1.3 million euros in lobbying efforts. This starkly contrasts with the 24.3 million euros spent by industry groups, highlighting a significant disparity in resources and influence between the two sides.

Failure to meet plastic reduction goals

Efforts under the Agec law, which aimed to reduce single-use plastic packaging by 20% by 2025 compared to 2018 levels, have not been met. In fact, the amount of packaging entering the market is increasing. The planned elimination of these packages by 2040 would require a major shift in current trends, which is far from being achieved.