Guide to selective sorting in businesses and communities

Implementing selective waste sorting in your company, community, or even a concert hall, stadium, etc., is mandatory. Therefore, carefully analyzing waste flow, the number of people frequenting the premises, and the human resources available for waste collection, not to mention the financial budget for implementation and operation, are all key considerations. Installing recycling bag holders for the public, especially outdoors, is essential for responsible waste collection.

Update on obligations and selective sorting methods

Voussert has expertise gained through partnerships with leading market players such as Rossignol with their Cub atri , Solstice, Hexatri, Calitri, and Alitri lines, and Rubbmermaid with their Slim Jim range. Don't hesitate to contact our assistants to work with you to develop the ideal sorting solution with the best offer.

What are the obligations for selective sorting in companies and communities?

Waste management has become essential in our society today, and the implementation of selective sorting policies is crucial to reducing the environmental impact of waste.
In communities and businesses, there is a legal obligation to sort waste . This obligation is enshrined in the law on energy transition for green growth (LTECV), which mandates the implementation of selective sorting for non-hazardous waste in public places and businesses.
In practice, this means that local authorities and businesses must implement separate waste collection systems , providing specific bins or containers for each type of waste (paper, cardboard, glass, plastic, metal, organic waste, etc.). Rubbermaid with Slim Jim or Rossignol with Cubatri or Hexatri offer ready-to-use and modular solutions;
It is also important to raise awareness among employees, residents or users about the need to sort waste properly.
In addition, local authorities and businesses also have legal obligations regarding waste management . They must ensure the collection, transport and treatment of waste in an environmentally sound manner, promoting recovery solutions (recycling, composting, etc.) rather than landfill or incineration.
It's important to remember the issue of mandatory smoking areas, which requires separate collection of cigarette butts that cannot be done through regular waste collection channels. Therefore, this specific waste stream must also be addressed through the implementation of outdoor or indoor cigarette butt collection systems (if sheltered).

The AGEC anti-waste law for a circular economy until 2040

Law No. 2020-105 of February 10, 2020: This law, in effect since January 1, 2020, will have a significant impact until 2040, aiming to fundamentally change production, distribution, and consumption patterns. It seeks to transform our linear economy (extract, produce, consume, and discard) into a circular economy. A circular economy breaks the cycle that leads to waste accumulation and resource depletion. This approach maximizes waste reuse by recovering value from it and giving it a second life in the production process. For example, a garbage bag can be made from recycled PET, a disposable hand towel from recycled wadding, a cleaning cart or floor scrubber from recycled plastic, and so on.
This law also implies phasing out disposable plastic tableware and moving towards biodegradable materials or Ok Compost, for example.
In summary, this Law is divided into five main areas:
- Shifting from disposable plastic to reusable or biodegradable materials
- Better inform consumers
- Fighting against waste and promoting solidarity-based reuse
- Taking action against planned obsolescence (particularly electronic devices made from rare metals)
- To produce better, particularly using recycled materials

Sorting of biowaste article 88 of the AGEC law

Article 88 of the AGEC 2024 law, remember to sort food waste at the source!
In order to implement source separation of food waste, particularly in the out-of-home catering sector (such as fast food), throughout France by January 1, 2024, it is the responsibility of each local authority, restaurant owner, and business to study and identify the most relevant solutions for sorting food waste at the source and ensuring that it can be recovered and not sent to landfill. Separate collection of food waste by the local authority complements local composting.
The law of July 12, 2010, known as the Grenelle 2 law, established an obligation for sorting at source and recovery of large producers of biowaste and used oils.
Since January 1, 2016, this applies to producers of more than 10 tonnes of biowaste and 60 litres of used oils per year.
The law of February 10, 2020, concerning the fight against waste and the circular economy, amended Article L. 541-21-1 of the Environmental Code, specifying that, as of January 1, 2023, this obligation applies to those who produce or hold more than five metric tons of biowaste per year. From January 1, 2024, all biowaste and used oils must be collected separately for recycling.
Voussert offers high-performance solutions with easily modular sorting furniture with the ALITRI line specifically designed for the world of institutional catering.

Summary of laws on selective sorting from 1975 to 2025!

Law of July 15, 1975: the first law organizing waste collection and treatment in France. Waste collection, transport, and treatment operations must be carried out under clean conditions to avoid “any risk to the environment and human health.” This law establishes the fundamental principle of “polluter pays.”
Law of July 13, 1992: also known as the Royal Law. It aims to strengthen the provisions of the 1975 law and requires companies to recycle their waste. From 1992 onwards, waste represents a source of energy and raw materials that can no longer be wasted or destroyed.
The Law of 12/07/2010 mandates the implementation of sorting and collection of biowaste and used cooking oils by large producers (the threshold for application of the Decree in 2016 was 10 tonnes per year).
of biowaste, 60L of cooking oils).
Article L 541-2 of the Environmental Code: every company is responsible for managing the waste it produces, even when that waste is transferred to a third party for processing. The company
must ensure that their disposal complies with regulations.
Decree No. 2016-288 of 10/03/2016: Businesses are required to improve the sorting of their paper, metal, plastic, glass, and wood waste to promote reuse and recycling. They must separate these materials from the rest of their waste, either by implementing source separation or by subsequent sorting in an automated facility.
From January 1, 2022: all paper and packaging, whether plastic, metal, or cardboard, can be placed in yellow bins and containers. This new instruction will reduce the tonnage of household waste produced each year in the metropolitan area, while also improving the recycling of collected waste.
Since January 1, 2025: Mandatory recycling is extended to all public spaces: streets, squares, gardens, beaches, etc. Local authorities are required to replace street bins with containers for sorting packaging and paper. These measures aim to accelerate the collection and recycling of packaging produced outside the home.

Waste type and color codes

The best way to facilitate waste collection, beyond graphic signage with waste symbols, is through color coding of waste streams. Identified by a color, each stream will be more easily remembered by users. The color coding for waste streams is more or less standardized so that everyone uses the same "language" when it comes to sorting. The colors given below represent a general approach, but of course, each company is free to implement its own color-coding system for bins or lids for non-standard waste streams.

The three most common and practically unavoidable flows are:
Green recycling Glass (bottles, jars)
BLUE recycling Newspapers, directories, magazines, brochures
YELLOW recycling Empty plastic packaging (in France, only bottles and flasks), metals, cardboard

Other non-standard colors
Selective sorting BLACK Organic waste, food scraps (e.g., compost)
Brown recycling Waste that can be recycled (or organic waste)
Red recycling Waste that cannot be recycled (or hazardous waste)
ORANGE Recycling Plastic packaging and bottles only

Waste: Why is selective sorting important?

Waste is a real problem.
Too much waste is simply sent to landfill or incinerated, whereas the best solution to limit our environmental footprint is to recycle and compost as much waste as possible.
The EU had set clear targets to promote recycling: Since 2020:
- Paper, glass, textiles, plastic and metals will be prohibited in landfills.
- Implementation of selective collection systems for these categories.
This objective has led cities, businesses, and local authorities in general to gradually implement a system of sorted waste collection by differentiated stream. This helps to promote the circular economy.

Practical guide to your recycling program:

Voussert and the implementation of your sorting solution

Smart recycling.
Voussert offers a wide range of products to facilitate your waste management and recycling. This ranges from simple office bins for paper recycling to central indoor and outdoor recycling stations, as well as mobile collection equipment capable of easily transporting additional loads.
Voussert offers durable products.
Not only do our recycling solutions help to increase recycling rates and reduce waste going to landfill, but the concept of sustainable development is integrated from their design and manufacture, which further reduces the impact on the environment.
Quality and durability:
Extending the lifespan of our products makes them more environmentally friendly. The design and quality control of our products guarantee very high quality and durability – resulting in lower replacement costs.
Recyclable:
The plastic, aluminum, and steel products that Voussert offers are developed with environmental considerations in mind. When these products reach the end of their useful life, they are recyclable. We partner with leading manufacturers and also work directly with factories possessing expertise in urban waste collection systems.
Recycled content:
Many of the sustainable products offered by Voussert are made of plastic, aluminum, and steel and contain recycled materials. This reduces the environmental impact by limiting the demand for raw materials.