As of 2020, waste generated per capita in France was roughly at par with the EU average. However, less than a third of the plastics generated and about half the packaging wastes are being recycled. While new systems and rules are being set into place, there’s a lot that we can do to make our lives more sustainable.
Understanding the Coloured Bins
The most important one for recycling is the Yellow bin found in about 85% of Paris. This is for recycling all paper, metal, plastics, and even small electronics. It is important to note that these containers should be empty.
The next colour is the white bin. This is for recycling glass, so all bottles, jars and glass containers go into this bin loose.
And, finally, everything that didn’t go into the first two containers goes into the green bins! Some parts of Paris are also experimenting with a brown compost bin for kitchen waste. Some other districts without the yellow bins are trying out the purple Trillib public recycling bins with colour-coded segments for the different categories.
Keep in mind that not everything you dispose of should go to a bin; things like electronics, furniture and clothes can be given to specific collection points and NGOs so that they can be reused. Batteries (of all kinds) are often collected at supermarkets, near schools and communal recycling centres. These metals can be recycled to make new batteries. France’s circular economy law also encourages you to give back old appliances when buying new ones.
Sometimes you’ll end up seeing new colours or separations. Sometimes they’ll be right next to regular bins. It may be disheartening to see different types of waste collected together. At the same time, littering can have fines from €135 all the way to €1500. Not complying with municipality waste rules can have penalties of €35 at a minimum. Regardless, it is crucial that we at least try to separate and recycle our waste because every little effort counts.
It may be tempting to just throw plastics and cans and bottles into the many bins like this all over Paris, but it may be worth doing the little extra effort to locate the nearest yellow bin so that it gets recycled instead. All of it may seem complicated and even pointless to some people, and while proper separation of waste is difficult to legally enforce, it’s very simple to make it a habit. The goal is that every person is naturally habituated and motivated to reduce the trash they generate, and recycle whatever they can.
The Habit Starts with You
Even at ESCP, the regular bins are split in two, with a specific bin for recyclable plastics, and the ones at the cafeteria are split into a number of colours. While this may have been confusing the first time or two, over the weeks almost every student knew what should be thrown in what bin.
If it really is that easy, there’s no reason that it can’t work in our personal lives and eventually in the lives of everyone in Paris and beyond. All that is needed is to be educated about the system and to be motivated about being a part of saving the planet.
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