France has stepped up its environmental game with a pledge to use only recycled plastics for packaging nationwide by 2025.
As part of the plan, unveiled yesterday by French secretary of state for ecological transition, Brune Poirson, the country plans to introduce a penalty system that would increase the costs of consumer goods with packaging made of non-recycled plastic.
According to the French press, the move was one of several to be implemented in coming years, including a deposit-refund scheme for plastic bottles.
"Declaring war on plastic is not enough. We need to transform the French economy," AFP quoted Poirson as telling the Journal du Dimanche newspaper.
According to Poirson, products with recycled plastic packaging could cost up to 10% less under the new plan.
"When there's a choice between two bottles, one made of recycled plastic and the other without, the first will be less expensive," she said, adding that if non-recycled plastic were more expensive, that would eliminate much of the excessive packaging.
