Waste Separation
Although waste separation is not compulsory in France, it is common practice. There are different kinds of waste separation:
- all waste is collected and then sent to a waste management company
- 'voluntary' collection: the inhabitants of a community deliver all their recyclable waste to a recycling plant
- selective collection: the inhabitants of a house separate their waste themselves according to its material
- mixed collection: a combination of 'voluntary' and selective collection. All non-recyclables are separated at home, and recyclables are taken to specific containers
There is a colour code for dustbins, valid throughout the European Economic Community:
Colour | Kind of waste |
green | glass, cans |
blue | paper, pieces of printed matter |
yellow | wrappings made of plastic – in France also bottles –, metal and cardboard |
black | non-recyclables |
red | non-recyclables |
brown | organic waste, compost |
orange | wrappings and bottles made of plastic |
