Implementation of PMCB REP: CAPEB calls for more pragmatism to facilitate the daily life of craft construction companies

Accelerate the territorial coverage of collection points to allow free recovery of sorted waste for all companies

While the REP has been launched since May 2023, the number and distribution of collection points remain very far from the companies that work nearby (sometimes only 2 or 3 per department), particularly in rural areas. Not to mention that the mapping of collection points made available on the OCAB website is relatively reliable since many points supposedly open are not in reality open. Faced with this observation, it is imperative that professional recycling centers and community recycling centers quickly integrate into the territorial network of collection points alongside distributors in order to guarantee businesses a local drop-off location for their waste.

Adapt sorting standards to the reality of small construction companies

The REP defines sorting standards allowing the free recovery of sorted waste in skips for metals, wood, plaster, plastic, etc.

However, two difficulties exist today: on the one hand, the free recovery of sorted waste is only effective in the collection facilities listed on the OCAB website (corresponding to collection points having agreed with an eco -organism); and on the other hand, a majority of the collection points in this map do not collect mixed demolition waste (paid recovery) while many companies that carry out renovation have this type of waste to manage, nor certain specific waste such as plaster bricks, cellular concrete, etc. while these different materials do indeed carry an eco contribution.

CAPEB also deplores the fact that corporate collection criteria, when they exist, are reserved for large structures generating significant waste flows or are slow to be defined for some eco-organizations.

Make all construction materials make an eco contribution

Since the start of consultations for the implementation of the REP, CAPEB has defended the idea that all construction materials, components and raw materials must carry an eco contribution upstream of company purchases, including all building glass products. The absence of glass building products in the Notice to Producers has direct consequences for the artisanal building companies that use them (wood and metal carpenters for example) since they must each join an eco-organization while the glass manufacturers must not do this! At this stage, glass products remain inexplicably excluded from the rule which applies to all other construction materials.

Strengthen visibility on the evolution of the amount of eco contributions

Since May 1, 2023, construction companies have paid eco contributions when purchasing construction products and materials from their distributors.

The evolution of the price scales of eco organizations remains an element of uncertainty for companies which must reflect these costs in their quotes. This is why CAPEB asks eco-organizations to respect a minimum period of 6 months between the publication of the scales and the date on which companies must apply them. To date, only one of the four eco-organizations has communicated its 2024 scales.

Reduce quantities of waste through an eco-design effort by manufacturers of construction materials and products

Managing waste better means firstly reducing its quantities. The principles of EPR place the waste management effort on construction companies which must better sort their activity waste and on the managers of the collection points for this waste.

The effort made by manufacturers of materials and products cannot be reduced to the sole payment of the eco contribution ultimately paid by their customers. Better eco-design on the part of manufacturers of materials and products or the development and provision of sizing or layout tools could make it possible to reduce the quantities of waste corresponding to scraps of materials and products used on the construction sites.

Make the stated desire to reuse materials effective

Reducing waste also involves reusing materials. This is also the very principle of EPR which aims to organize the sorting of waste in order to prioritize their management (priority to reuse/reuse/recycling).

This stage is currently only in its infancy. There is also a lack of centralization of information allowing small businesses to know where to find reusable materials and in what quantity.

The reuse of materials raises other issues to which no clear answer has been provided to date: that of the insurability of companies when they use these “second life” materials and their residual performance because, in all Obviously, to take this example, the thermal performance of a window that has been used for 15 years cannot be identical to that of a new window.

CAPEB notes that a certain number of studies are underway on this subject but that they relate almost essentially to methodologies adapted to large demolitions in which construction materials are recovered in large quantities. These methodologies are not suitable for artisanal construction companies which work extensively on small sites, with small quantities of reusable materials.

Finally, if we wish to develop reuse, an important parameter must be taken into account, namely the potential additional cost generated by deconstruction which requires much more time for companies than simple demolition. This is a factor to be taken seriously into account, because without selective deconstruction, there can be no reuse.

For Jean-Christophe REPON, president of CAPEB: “The haste with which the PMCB REP was launched and which CAPEB denounced from 2022 has resulted in a real complication for businesses today. CAPEB continues its consultations with eco-organizations and OCAB so that pragmatism prevails and that artisanal construction companies are not penalized by this major reform in the management of their waste, management that small businesses want. carried out in the best conditions with the aim of preserving the environment and contributing to a more sustainable development of our society through the construction and renovation of buildings. »

Illustrative image of the article via Depositphotos.com.