Mandatory Composting in 2024: Everything You Need to Know

From January 1, 2024, source separation of biowaste will be mandatory for everyone. This advance stems from the entry into force of the law on the fight against waste and the circular economy, known as the Agec law, enacted in 2020.

Since the beginning of the year, there has been a proliferation of articles claiming that "composting will become compulsory" from January 1, 2024. But this is not the case. Let's decipher the Agec law and its new obligations regarding composting.

Is composting becoming compulsory? What are the responsibilities of individuals and local authorities? Could you be fined if you don't compost at home? We answer all your questions!

👉 Feel like getting started? Discover our range of innovative design composters!

What does the AGEC law provide for? Everything you need to know about the obligation to sort biowaste

The Agec law introduces the obligation to sort bio-waste at source. It stipulates that every citizen must have "at his disposal a solution enabling him not to throw away his bio-waste", so that it can be recycled. A valuable resource, biowaste can be recycled into materials (compost) or energy (biogas). At present, biowaste is mainly landfilled or incinerated, highly polluting processes. It generates considerable greenhouse gas emissions, particularly methane.

The stakes are of course ecological, since the waste sector is responsible for 4% of greenhouse gas emissions in France in 2023, but they are also economic at a time of rising waste management costs for taxpayers and local authorities 📈

Ceercle reminder Ceercle Bio-waste accounts for 30% of residual waste in France. This is organic waste from natural plant or animal resources. It includes peelings, food scraps, dry waste (such as cardboard), and green waste from the garden.

Is composting becoming compulsory?

One obligation, two solutions for sorting biowaste

With this new Agec law, you may be asking yourself the following questions: Is composting compulsory in 2024? Is it compulsory to have a composter at home, even in an apartment?

On January 1, 2024, composting will not become compulsory. In fact, it's the sorting of biowaste that becomes mandatory ! As we shall see, individual composting is one of the possible solutions (and our favorite), but it's not the only one.

With the Agec law, it's up to local authorities, supported by the government, to implement solutions for citizens. There are two main solutions available to local authorities (which are not mutually exclusive):

• Local management (individual or collective composting)
• Separate collection of bio-waste

Local management: individual or collective composting

Local management means treating biowaste as close as possible to where it is produced. Citizens themselves process their food waste through individual composting (at home) or collective composting (in bins managed by neighborhood associations, condominiums, etc.).

To take the example of Bordeaux Métropole, 10,000 individual composters were distributed to residents by 2023, and hundreds of collective composters have been installed, in public spaces or in private establishments.

Separate collection of bio-waste

Separate collection is the introduction of a collection round dedicated to biowaste, either door-to-door or by voluntary drop-off, by the public service. Biowaste is then sent to larger-scale treatment sites (industrial composting or methanization), which are located far from the production site. Little developed in France to date, separate collection of biowaste is more widespread in certain European countries such as Germany, Belgium, Spain and Austria, where it concerns 60 to 80% of the population (Réseau Compostplus, 2018).

For example, in parallel with the distribution of individual composters and collective composting sites, the Lyon Metropolis has set up 1,400 compost bins, deployed in 7 communes, and collected 2 to 3 times a week.

What kind of garbage cans will be mandatory in 2024?

With the Agec law, here are the types of garbage cans that will be mandatory in France from 2024:

• A garbage can for residual household waste (everything that can't be recycled)
• A selective sorting garbage can (paper, cardboard, plastic, metal and glass)
• A garbage can for bio-waste (food scraps, peelings, coffee grounds, etc.) if your municipality has introduced separate collection of bio-waste.

Sorting biowaste: a municipal responsibility

No, you don't risk being fined if you don't compost your biowaste! Individuals are not obliged to compost. Under the AGEC law, as of January 1, only local authorities are obliged to offer citizens a solution for sorting their biowaste.

Making composting part of everyday life: the power of individuals

However, you have everything to gain by making composting part of your daily routine! Reduce your waste by 30% and recycle your biowaste into compost and vermicompost, a natural liquid fertilizer. A small daily gesture, a big environmental impact. In fact, 1 tonne of biowaste incinerated = 1 tonne of CO2 emitted. Fine or not: you have the power to make a difference!

I want to compost, what are the solutions?

Are you lucky enough to have a garden? Choose a classic garden composter.

Do you live in an apartment? People often think that composting in the city is difficult, if not impossible. But there are many solutions. If you live in an apartment, you can compost thanks to :

• Collective composting points
• Using an odorless vermicomposter
• Using a bokashi for airtight pre-composting

Our mission: to make composting simple and beautiful

At Ceercle are passionate advocates of positive ecology. We want to make composting accessible to everyone, even city dwellers. With Ceercle, composting becomes simple and enjoyable thanks to stylish, compact, and odorless composters.

Now you know all you need to know about the Agec law and the obligation to sort biowaste at source!