France bans plastic packaging for vegetables and fruit

From 1 January 2022, plastic packaging for leeks, courgettes, apples, pears and other fresh fruit and vegetables will be banned in France. As today an estimated 37% of fresh fruit and vegetables are packaged this way, it is expected that 1 billion less packaging will be needed each year.

The decree, which originates from the 'anti-waste law' (Loi anti-gaspillage pour une économie circulaire) voted at the beginning of 2020, was signed by the Minister for the Ecological Transition Barbara Pompili (clearly of Italian origin, her grandfather came from Senigallia) and published on 12 September 2021.

This is in line with the goal of the Climate and Resilience Act, enacted on 24 August, which stipulates that at least 20 per cent of products in medium and large-scale retail trade (GDO in Italian) should be sold in bulk by 2030 (in 2021, an estimated 1 to 3 per cent).

This measure will be phased in between 1 January 2022 and 30 June 2026 so that manufacturers have time to adopt alternative solutions.

As of 1 January 2021, some 30 products are affected by the ban. 

Vegetables: leeks, courgettes, aubergines, peppers, cucumbers, 'normal' potatoes and carrots, round tomatoes, 'normal' onions and turnips, cabbage, cauliflower, pumpkin, parsnips, radishes, root vegetables, Jerusalem artichokes.

Fruit: apples, pears, bananas, oranges, clementines, kiwis, mandarins, lemons, grapefruits, plums, melons, pineapples, mangoes, passion fruit and persimmons.

From 1 July 2023, 11 more products will be affected.

Vegetables: Brussels sprouts, green beans, early turnips, early onions, ribbed tomatoes, S. Marzano type, cherry tomatoes.

Fruit: apricots, peaches, nectarines and grapes.

From 1 January 2025, the ban will be extended to another ten or so products.

Vegetables: asparagus, endive, broccoli, spinach, early carrots, mushrooms, edible flowers, herbs, sprouts, lamb's lettuce, sorrel, lettuce, carrots, early potatoes, green soybean sprouts.

Fruit: cranberries, cherries and physalis.

For products with a higher risk of spoilage when sold in bulk, the ban will only come into force on 1 July 2026. These are sprouted seeds (alfalfa, lentils, soya, etc.), small kiwis, blackcurrants, blackberries, strawberries, raspberries, very ripe fruit, blueberries, currants, phyllantus (Malaysian gooseberry).

Stakeholders can turn to Ademe (the French National Environment Agency) for support in implementing alternative solutions.

It should be emphasised that the ban only applies to fruit and vegetables sold in packages of less than 1.5 kg. For higher weights, sellers can still use packages with plastic or its derivatives.