REP PMCB: Building tradespeople are asking public authorities to finally listen to their voice

The mobilization of small construction businesses remains strong and was once again demonstrated during the public consultation, which ended yesterday, Tuesday, May 19, on the draft regulations for the overhaul of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme for PMCB (preventive maintenance, recycling, and construction materials), reflecting the Government's decisions. The message is clear: all expressed their opposition to the elimination of this free buyback program as of December 31, 2026.

On December 17, 2025, at the call of the CAPEB (Confederation of Craft and Small Construction Businesses), their collective action had already succeeded in making a crucial demand heard: the continued free collection of small volumes of sorted waste within the framework of the reform of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme for PMCB (Plastic, Small, and Carton Waste). This mobilization led the Government to extend the scheme, but the decisions included in the regulatory texts, which were open for public consultation until May 19, limited this extension to December 31, 2026. This decision is all the more unacceptable to construction tradespeople, as it creates further uncertainty for businesses already severely constrained in their day-to-day operations.

The results of the public inquiry closed on May 19th demonstrate this unambiguously: more than a thousand building tradespeople express a real need for simplicity, clarity and efficiency in the management of their construction site waste.

They all requested the continuation of the free collection of small volumes of sorted waste, up to three cubic meters or within the limit of one and a half tons, in all collection points of the PMCB REP: professional waste disposal sites, distributors and community waste disposal sites.

They all clearly opposed the elimination of this free buyback from December 31, 2026.

This strong mobilization of small construction businesses within the framework of this public consultation confirms that the warnings and proposals raised for months by CAPEB with the Ministry address an undeniable reality on the ground. Small construction businesses are not asking for privileges or exceptions: they are asking for simple, accessible solutions tailored to their activity.

Faced with this strong and responsible collective expression, CAPEB asks the public authorities to listen to the voice of building tradespeople and to take the necessary decisions to guarantee a long-term operational, fair and sustainable system, as they express their wish.

With this mobilization in hand, CAPEB intends to continue its action with the Government in order to obtain the continuation of the free collection of sorted waste.

For Jean-Christophe Repon, president of CAPEB: “It is time for the voice of small construction businesses to be heard and respected! The fact that so many small businesses took the time to respond to this public consultation, which is unusual for them, clearly demonstrates the level of their concerns regarding the directions taken to date to reform the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme for small and medium-sized construction waste. We reiterate the request we already made to the Government on March 30th, alongside the Association of French Mayors (AMF), Regions of France, Intermunicipalities of France, Amorce, and the National Recycling Circle, to revise its decisions without delay in order to finally meet the expectations expressed so clearly by very small construction businesses across the country, who are, it must be reiterated, the primary holders of waste.”

Illustrative image of the article via Depositphotos.com.