  Context and issues at stake
- September 2005 : the waste policy is given a new boost...
On 20 September 2005, an announcement was made by the MEDD. According to Minister Nelly Olin, the priorities unveiled to "give a new boost to waste management" are :
Reducing the amount of waste produced
including reducing the number of carrier bags distributed;
Expanding recycling by controlling costs
particularly for used tyres
and waste from electrical and electronic equipment;
Encouraging the espousal of waste management and sharing information more efficiently
by ensuring the proper application of regulations governing incineration;
by continuing to curtail unauthorised dumping;
by promoting better structuring of waste management (local approach). - ... as part of the national strategy for sustainable development
Within this context, the waste policy seeks to address several key issues :
- Control of the impact of waste management on the environment and climate change;
- Prevention of health hazards;
- Compliance with growing European requirements;
- Availability of the necessary processing and storage capacities;
- Cost control.
 Preventing waste production – a key objective
In February 2004, the government presented a national plan aimed at stabilising the production of household waste by the year 2008.
With this objective in mind, a three-year national communication campaign entitled “Quick, let’s reduce our waste – it’s overflowing !” was launched in the fall of 2005.
This awareness-raising campaign was supplemented by other initiatives, including :
- The recruitment by local governments of 100 "prevention" project leaders;
- ADEME’s technical and financial support of small and medium-sized businesses, particularly as part of the “10% less waste” operation;
- National plan for the development of individual composting;
- Initiatives to promote the repair and reuse of items;
- Initiatives to encourage a reduction in waste toxicity.
Finally, the most important initiatives will be given names so that they are more recognisable. |
Projects adapted to the waste policy
On 26 November 2003, ADEME’s Board of Directors defined the Agency’s waste management strategy for the 2004-2009 period, adapting it to the objectives presented to the Council of Ministers on 4 June 2003 and 20 September 2005.
This policy has resulted in a closer, more targeted involvement.
ADEME is implementing the new waste management policy in the following areas :
- Prevention of waste production;
- Quality and control of environmental impact, including, in particular, the contribution to the fight against climate change and control of costs and health hazards;
- Support for new sectors (transfer of the management of products at the end of their life cycle to manufacturers and distributors, collection of scattered hazardous waste, waste from public works and civil engineering, etc.) and support for troubled sectors (such as biological management);
- Support for the creation of the necessary processing or storage capacities in areas where these may be lacking;
- Development of a network of regional monitoring stations;
- Improvement of knowledge and support for innovation.
ADEME offers its expertise to local players through its methodological tools and through its leadership initiatives, awareness-raising and communication campaigns, consulting and investigative activities, and assessments of lessons learned.
There are plans to provide financial assistance to encourage model projects as well as high-priority investment programmes defined in conjunction with local governments under regional or departmental contracts. - What type of organisation is in place to implement this strategy ?
Regional delegations made up of engineers proficient in the field of waste management.
A waste and soils management office (DDS) consisting of five departments :
- Prevention, Recycling and Sector Organisation;
- Biological Management of Waste and Soils;
- Optimised Waste Management;
- Monitoring Stations, Waste Costs and Planning;
- Polluted Sites and Soils.
These departments conduct activities aimed at :
- Assisting the regional delegations with technical advice given to those concerned, discussions and provision of expertise;
- Testing and promoting local programmes that implement integrated waste management;
- Assessing the lessons learned based on the promotion and monitoring of model projects;
- Supporting research and pilot projects;
- Offering expertise to the various players, including in particular government authorities;
- Spreading knowledge through publications, symposiums, and so on.
| Highlights
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