The French government has announced plans to reintroduce a glass deposit scheme, under which supermarkets could soon be required to accept and clean returned glass jars and bottles. A variety of supermarket outlets have already pledged their participation in the pilot phase of the project, slated to begin next year.

The specifics of the deposit incentive for customers to return their glass items are yet to be determined. The primary goal is to reduce food packaging waste, especially plastic waste, a fight described as "the mother of all battles" by Bérangère Couillard, France's Ecology Minister. The program was announced on Thursday, June 22.

Despite this, the waste reduction initiative has met with opposition from some local politicians, who argue that discussions regarding the implementation have been misleading and forced upon by the government without thorough consideration.

The scheme's first phase is set to roll out in 2024, though it will take up to two years for full national implementation. A host of stores, especially Carrefour hypermarkets, have volunteered to be part of the pilot. These participating stores will establish glass deposit sites at their entrances where returned items can be cleaned, sterilised, and repurposed.

The legal framework for glass reuse will be discussed before the year ends, according to the Minister. By 2025, stores will be legally bound to accept returned glass items such as bottles, jars, and yoghurt pots, regardless of where they were originally purchased. This will be aided by a drive to standardise packaging to enhance the project's reach.

In a related development, the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the eco-packaging organisation, Citeo, announced in May the introduction of standardised glass packaging, which was subsequently adopted by glassmakers like Verallia and O-I.

Furthermore, a €50 million fund will be established to incentivise brands and packaging producers to switch from plastic to the newly standardised glass packaging.

STORY: France to test glass deposit system in supermarkets to reduce plastic waste
DATELINE: July 1, 2023
LENGTH: 00:01:39
LOCATION: SAINT-ETIENNE, France
CATEGORY: SOCIETY

SHOTLIST:
1. various glass bottles
2. various glass bottles in a store
3. various glass bottle recycling station

STORYLINE:

As part of its plan to eliminate plastic bottles by 2040, the French government will soon launch an experiment in some supermarkets to implement a glass deposit system. This system will allow customers to return their standard glass containers so that the bottles can be reused.

The principle of the "deposit" is as follows: glass containers sold in supermarkets will include an additional amount as a deposit. This deposit is then refunded to the buyer when they bring back the glass packaging to a designated collection point.

An experimental phase will first be launched with voluntary supermarkets. The Carrefour group has already announced that it would launch an operation in this direction. The Secretary of State for Ecology Berangere Couillard has announced a dedicated fund of 50 million euros with the aim of incentivizing glass-using producers to embrace standardized containers, and fostering recycling practices among food manufacturers.

A new standard for usable glass bottles and jars will be introduced in an effort to standardize packaging, and the initial trials for the standard will commence by the end of 2023.

Today, in France, only 1 percent of household packaging is reused. However, the Ministry of Ecological Transition has set the target of achieving a 10 percent reuse rate by 2027.

France hopes to lead EU countries in promoting the "circular economy" and reducing plastic pollution.
   
Xinhua correspondents reporting from Saint-Etienne, France.
(XHTV)