The Association of Independent Recyclers warns of the consequences of EPR in the building waste sector

A few months after its promulgation, the ARI draws up an alarming observation directly affecting the economy of the sector in the territories.

Heavy impacts of the REP sector on the activity of its members

The entry into force of the REP for construction products and materials in the building sector (PMCB), resulting from the AGEC law, at the start of the year marked a turning point for the building waste recycling activity. A few months are enough to see that independent recyclers are largely excluded from the new organization of the sector. The organization of the collection and processing of inert (mineral) and non-inert waste (other materials, metals, wood, insulation, etc.) is now entrusted to the 4 eco-organizations, which have set up subcontracting contracts to which independent recyclers cannot respond: lack of transparency of award criteria, undervalued scales. All these new constraints hinder the principle of free competition, which is nevertheless essential in commercial negotiations.

These difficulties would necessarily have an economic impact on independent recyclers, who could suffer, for a large number of them, a loss of their activity between 2022 and the forecast 2023. Ultimately, there is therefore a risk of closure of their structures, failure to make their investments in recycling tools profitable, and the disappearance of local outlets for recycled materials.

The large construction materials distribution brands, now labeled “collection points” by eco-organizations, have improvised themselves as “essential players in recycling”, even though the conditions for adopting good sorting practices are not guaranteed. , due to lack of sufficient agents on the input docks.

For Samuel Lostis, president of the Association of Independent Recyclers: “This new regulation has detrimental consequences for the 2.000 independents that we represent, but it will ultimately impact waste management throughout the national territory, while we are essential players in environmental protection. Thanks to independent recyclers, 5 million tonnes of waste are processed per year. It is also urgent to work together with eco-organizations to define virtuous subcontracting rules, with a view to the upcoming opening of other REPs. »

Necessary developments to support the independent recycler sector

Faced with these observations, solutions are possible to restore the economic balance and efficiency of the sector.

For reasons of transparency, the ARI proposes to carry out control over the award of subcontracting contracts, and the publication of all recycling players, including those who are not approved on their sites, in order to allow “consumers” to make the right choice for the collection and recovery of their waste.

Furthermore, to avoid this unfair competition, and to regain an economic balance, independent recyclers are asking to set remuneration scales, after consultation with all players in the building sector, and to promote the recovery of waste collected by subcontractors, in local outlets. Because in the context of shortage of raw materials, and availability of materials, used materials do not constitute so much a burden for its elimination, as an opportunity for economic valorization.

Finally, to reduce the environmental impact, the sector proposes to specify in article L.541-10-6 of the environmental code that contracts relating to the collection, recycling or treatment of waste must be concluded with operators providing proof of an installation that complies with ICPE regulations.

The ability of players in the EPR sector and public decision-makers to respond to these demands will be decisive for the quality of the implementation today of the EPR sector for building waste, and tomorrow, those of new sectors, such as end-of-life vehicles (ELV).

Illustrative image of the article via Depositphotos.com.