Waste management in construction: government reform proposals and industry reactions

In March 2025, Agnès Pannier-Runacher, then Minister for Ecological Transition, launched a "rebuilding" of the extended producer responsibility (EPR) scheme for building construction products and materials (BCM), which was facing strong opposition from construction professionals. This reform aimed to thoroughly overhaul a key mechanism for the management and recycling of construction site waste.

After nearly a year of consultation with construction stakeholders, the Minister Delegate for Ecological Transition, Mathieu Lefèvre, presented three major axes for reforming the EPR PMCB: strengthening the territorial network of waste collection points, reducing the costs borne by the sector and more effective governance.

Regarding the territorial network, the system "will rely, in order of priority, on professional waste disposal centers, voluntary distributors, and public waste disposal centers that wish to participate," according to an organization defined "under the aegis of the regional councils," the ministry stated in a press release. The objective is to improve the accessibility of collection points for tradespeople and construction companies.

In areas where supply remains insufficient, eco-organizations will have to deploy "additional financial support". The reform also provides for the creation of a "fund to finance the treatment of illegal dumping, financed by eco-contributions", in order to combat more effectively the illegal dumping of construction and demolition waste.

To reduce the costs of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), the government wants to redirect funding from eco-organizations towards so-called "non-mature" materials (glass wool, plastic, window and door frames, bituminous membranes, etc.), which require support "to structure the recycling economy." Conversely, "mature" materials (inert materials, metal, wood, and soon plaster) will gradually have to operate with reduced support, as their recycling sector is already structured.

On the governance front, the reform notably introduces "a maximum timeframe between the signing of a standard contract by a local authority and the actual implementation of support measures or the management of waste." It also formalizes the "elimination" of budgets dedicated to communication and R&D, "replaced by a results-based approach," according to the Ministry. The stated objective is to improve the operational efficiency and transparency of the system.

The government will specify the concrete implementation details "in the coming weeks," including the drafting of new specifications governing eco-organizations. Future accreditations will be issued based on this reference document.

These "decisions" "represent concrete progress in favor of building tradespeople," responded the Capeb. The federation particularly welcomed a territorial network "finally adapted" to the realities on the ground, while stating that it remains "vigilant regarding the concrete and rapid implementation of the commitments."

Provided for by the anti-waste law (Agec law), the PMCB REP sector was launched at the end of 2022. It is part of a context marked by the death, in August 2019, of the mayor of Signes (Var), hit by a van whose occupants, whom he wanted to fine, had thrown rubble on the side of the road.

CAPEB has secured initial progress for building tradespeople but remains vigilant.

After several weeks of consultation with the main professional organizations representing the construction, renovation, and waste sectors, the Minister for the Ecological and Inclusive Transition, Mathieu Lefèvre, has made his initial decisions regarding the overhaul of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme for Building Products and Materials. Since its launch, CAPEB has been fully committed to ensuring that this scheme, which has become costly, complex, and insufficiently efficient, is simplified and truly adapted to the practices of small construction businesses, which are the primary holders of waste.

The initial decisions announced by the Minister indicate concrete progress in favor of building tradespeople. CAPEB welcomes the fact that its concerns regarding the essential consideration of the realities faced by building tradespeople have been heard in this system and remains vigilant concerning the concrete and rapid implementation of the commitments and initial measures that have been adopted.

A territorial network finally adapted to the practices of building tradespeople

The CAPEB's vigorous campaign has paid off. By establishing an operational and efficient network of collection points across the country, the Minister is prioritizing the effectiveness of the service provided to small businesses. CAPEB welcomes this decision, as it was a crucial issue for small construction businesses, which had repeatedly expressed their frustration with the inefficiency of the existing network.

In defining this operational and efficient network, CAPEB will ensure that the collection of all materials takes place at the same collection point to guarantee ease of use and that collection solutions are identified to be as close as possible to the needs of companies.

CAPEB also welcomes the principle of developing the network at the local level, in consultation with the State, local authorities, and professional organizations, rather than relying solely on agreements with eco-organizations. The departmental CAPEB branches will be fully mobilized to ensure that no area is left without a solution.

A transitional phase to protect very small businesses in the construction sector

CAPEB strongly advocated for a system that is financially fair for craft businesses, in order to guarantee a simple and accessible filing process for very small businesses.

In a context where the distinction between "mature" and "immature" materials complicates waste disposal and potentially the motivation to sort, CAPEB welcomes the Minister's willingness to consider a transitional system for the free collection of waste, while the system is being deployed and proven effective on the ground, and will be particularly vigilant regarding the implementation of this commitment made by the Minister.

Nevertheless, CAPEB regrets that tradespeople will be forced to pay for the removal of their waste once the system is implemented. We will continue to reiterate that this provision is a clear contradiction of the very spirit of the AGEC law, which aimed to provide concrete and simplified solutions for businesses.

This is why CAPEB is calling for the creation of an Observatory of the prices of the EPR PMCB, to very precisely monitor the potential developments in the prices of waste collection charged to very small businesses by waste collectors, including professional waste disposal sites, in order to prevent any abuses which would weaken the activity of small building trades companies.

Better anticipation of eco-contribution scales

Another element of satisfaction that CAPEB had hoped for for businesses: the announcement of a 9-month notice period to allow professionals to anticipate potential changes in the amounts of eco-contributions in their quotes.

Towards a profound reform of the governance of the REP

CAPEB has strongly called for a thorough overhaul of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) governance so that eco-organizations can no longer be the sole decision-makers on choices that directly impact businesses on the ground. Encouraging initial measures aimed at strengthening the powers to sanction eco-organizations that fail to comply with their specifications have been adopted in the Senate at the Minister's initiative. CAPEB welcomes this first step and now expects concrete measures for a profoundly transformed and truly shared governance, fully involving all stakeholders.

For Jean-Christophe Repon, President of CAPEB: “The decisions made align with the proposals we strongly advocated to ensure the voice of craftspeople was heard on key issues: territorial coverage, local consultation, and economic predictability. However, we will remain highly vigilant regarding its practical implementation. The Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme for small craft businesses must become a simple, accessible, and fair system for these businesses, which are its primary contributors. CAPEB will continue to be the only organization consistently defending the simplification of life for small construction businesses on the ground and the fairness of the system.”

Illustrative image of the article via Depositphotos.com.