Guide to selective sorting in businesses and communities

Implementing selective sorting in your business, in your community or even in a zenith, a performance hall, a stadium, etc. is an obligation. Choosing the right analysis of the waste flow, the volume of public attending the venues and the human resources you have available for waste collection, without forgetting the financial budget for implementation and management are all points to consider.

Update on obligations and selective sorting methods

Voussert has expertise in partnership with the biggest players in the market such as Rossignol with the Cub atri , Solstice, Hexatri, Calitri, Alitri lines...and Rubbmermaid with the Slim Jim range. Do not hesitate to contact our assistants to build with you the ideal sorting solution with the best offer.

What is the obligation for selective sorting in businesses and communities?

Waste management has become essential in our society today, and the implementation of selective sorting policies is essential to reduce the environmental impact of waste.
In communities and businesses, there is a legal obligation to sort waste . This obligation is enshrined in the Energy Transition for Green Growth Act (LTECV), which requires the implementation of selective sorting for non-hazardous waste in public places and businesses.
In practice, this means that communities and businesses must set up means of selective waste collection , by offering 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 and users of the need to sort waste properly.
In addition, local authorities and businesses also have legal obligations regarding waste treatment . They must ensure the collection, transport and treatment of waste in an environmentally friendly manner, favoring recovery solutions (recycling, composting, etc.) rather than landfill or incineration.

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

Law No. 2020-105 - February 10, 2020: This law, effective since January 1, 2020, will be implemented until 2040 to profoundly change production, distribution, and consumption patterns. It aims to transform our linear economy (extract, produce, consume, and discard) into a circular economy. A circular economy consists of breaking this chain that generates an accumulation of waste and a depletion of resources. This type of approach consists of reusing waste as much as possible by recovering it and giving it a second life within the framework of production. Thus, a garbage bag can be made from recycled PET, a disposable hand towel from recycled wadding, a cleaning trolley or a scrubber-dryer from recycled plastic, etc.
This law also involves moving away from disposable plastic tableware to biodegradable materials or Ok Compost, for example.
In summary, this Law is divided into five main areas:
- Move away from disposable plastic to reusable or biodegradable plastic
- Better inform consumers
- Fight against waste and for solidarity reuse
- Act against planned obsolescence (in particular electronic devices made from rare metals)
- Produce better, particularly using recycled materials

Sorting of biowaste article 88 of the AGEC law

Article 88 of the AGEC 2024 law, think about sorting food waste at source!
In order to implement the sorting of food waste at source, particularly in our out-of-home catering sector (fast food, for example) throughout France by January 1, 2024, it is up to each community, restaurant owner and business to study and identify the most relevant solutions for sorting food waste at source and ensuring that it can be recycled and not sent to landfill. The separate collection of food waste by the community complements local composting.
The law of July 12, 2010, known as the Grenelle 2 law, established an obligation for sorting at source and recovery for large producers of biowaste and used oils.
Since January 1, 2016, producers of more than 10 tons of biowaste and 60 liters of used oil per year have been affected.
The law of February 10, 2020, on 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 persons who produce or hold more than five tons of biowaste per year. From January 1, 2024, all biowaste and used oils will have to be collected separately for recovery.
Voussert offers high-performance solutions with easily modular sorting furniture with the ALITRI line specifically designed for the world of collective catering.

Summary of LAWS on selective sorting from 1975 to 2025!

Law of 15/07/1975: the first law governing waste collection and treatment in France. Waste collection, transportation, and treatment operations must be carried out under clean conditions to avoid “any risk to the environment and human health.” This law established the founding 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 businesses to recycle their waste. Since 1992, waste has represented a source of energy and raw materials that can no longer be wasted or destroyed.
Law of 12/07/2010 makes it mandatory for large producers to implement sorting and collect biowaste and edible oil waste (threshold for application of the Decree in 2016: 10 tonnes per year)
of biowaste, 60L of cooking oils).
Article L 541-2 of the Environmental Code: each company is responsible for the management of the waste it produces even when it is transferred to a third party for treatment. The company
must ensure that their disposal complies with regulations.
Decree No. 2016-288 of 03/10/2016: companies are required to more effectively sort their paper, metal, plastic, glass, and wood waste to promote its reuse and recycling. They must separate these materials from the rest of their waste, either by establishing sorting at source or by further sorting in an automated center.
From January 1, 2022: All paper and packaging, whether plastic, metal, or cardboard, can be placed in yellow bins and trash cans. This new deposit will help reduce the tonnage of household waste produced each year in metropolitan France, while also achieving greater recycling of the waste collected.
Since January 1, 2025: Mandatory selective sorting extended to all public spaces: streets, squares, gardens, beaches, etc. Local authorities are required to replace street trash cans with bins allowing the sorting of packaging and paper. These measures aim to accelerate the recovery and recycling of packaging produced "outside the home."

Waste type and color codes

The best way to facilitate waste collection, beyond graphic signs with waste symbols, is to color-code waste streams. Thus, by identifying the stream by color, users will be more easily reminded of the stream. The color coding of 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 will be free to implement its own color solution for each bin or lid on "non-standard" streams.

The 3 most common and almost unavoidable flows are:
GREEN selective sorting Glass (bottles, jars)
BLUE selective sorting Newspapers, directories, magazines, leaflets
YELLOW selective sorting Empty plastic packaging (in France, only bottles and flasks), metals, cardboard

Other non-standard colors
BLACK selective sorting Organic waste, food scraps (e.g. compost)
BROWN selective sorting Waste that can be recycled (or organic waste)
RED selective sorting Waste that cannot be recycled (or hazardous waste)
ORANGE selective sorting 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, when 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 banned from landfills.
- Implementation of selective collection systems for these categories.
This objective has led cities, businesses, and communities in general to gradually implement waste collection sorted by differentiated stream. This helps 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 help you manage and recycle your waste. These range from simple office paper recycling bins to central indoor and outdoor recycling stations and mobile collection equipment that can easily carry additional loads.
Voussert offers sustainable products.
Not only do our recycling solutions help increase recycling rates and reduce waste going to landfill, but the concept of sustainable development is integrated into their design and manufacturing, which further reduces the impact on the environment.
Quality and solidity:
Extending product lifespans makes them more environmentally friendly. The design and testing of our products guarantees high product quality and durability – 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 with high-quality expertise in urban waste collection.
Recycled content:
Many of Voussert's sustainable products are made of plastic, aluminum, and steel and contain recycled materials. This reduces the environmental impact by limiting the demand for raw materials.

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