AGEC Law and single-use plastic ban: what are the obligations for festivals?
For several years, single-use plastic has become one of the main symbols of modern pollution. Faced with the environmental emergency, France adopted the AGEC law for "Anti-Waste and Circular Economy". But what does this mean in practice for festivals, these festive gatherings where plastic has long reigned supreme? Here's a look at the new rules imposed on organizers.
Introduction
Festivals attract millions of participants every year. Music, arts, gastronomy: these events are synonymous with pleasure... but also with mountains of waste. Disposable tableware, plastic cups, multicolored straws: so many single-use products that often end up in nature or in landfills.
The AGEC law tackles this problem head-on. With progressive measures, it aims to reduce, and even eliminate, the use of these disposable plastics. Festivals, as organizers of waste-generating events, are directly concerned.
The AGEC Law: Essential Reminders
Adopted in February 2020, the AGEC law pursues several clear objectives: to limit waste, encourage reuse, improve recycling, and, obviously, reduce plastic pollution. Its implementation schedule is spread over several years, with each stage bringing a new set of prohibitions.
Specifically, since 2021, many products have been banned from sale and distribution: disposable plastic tableware, straws, stirrers, cup lids, plastic confetti, etc. In 2022 and 2023, the list was extended to include food packaging and certain non-biodegradable compostable plastics. And upcoming deadlines could tighten these restrictions even further.
Festivals, often massive users of disposable tableware and single-use packaging, must therefore adapt quickly to these new rules.
Specific Obligations for Festival Organizers
For organizers, the impact is direct and concrete. First, the distribution of prohibited products is strictly forbidden on festival sites. It is therefore impossible to continue using the classic plastic cups or disposable straws that have long been ubiquitous. It is in this context that solutions such as those offered by Le Gobelet Français make perfect sense, by offering reusable alternatives adapted to the constraints of each event.
Fortunately, solutions exist and are becoming more widespread. The use of reusable containers is now becoming the norm. The cup deposit system, for example, significantly reduces the waste generated on-site while raising public awareness. Moreover, specialized players like Le Gobelet Français are already supporting festivals in this transition by offering practical, customized solutions perfectly adapted to the logistical constraints of each event.
Beyond containers, festivals must also organize on-site waste sorting and ensure festival-goers are well-informed: visible signage, advance communication, on-site reminders. Service providers (caterers, bars, merchandise stands) must also be involved in the process and comply with the new rules, otherwise the organizer could be put in a difficult position.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
The law is not just an incentive. Inspections are organized by the competent authorities to verify the compliance of events. In case of non-compliance with the obligations, administrative fines can be imposed. The amounts vary depending on the seriousness of the breach, but can reach several thousand euros. This is enough to encourage organizers to take these new obligations very seriously.
Best Practices and Concrete Solutions
Some festivals are already leading by example. Events like We Love Green or Cabaret Vert have implemented exemplary approaches: deposit-return cups, self-service water fountains, food served only in compostable or reusable containers, dry toilets, optimized waste sorting and collection management.
Working with local authorities often proves invaluable for organizing sorting and collection logistics. Volunteers also play a key role in raising public awareness and running these eco-responsible systems. Little by little, a whole chain is being organized around this new environmental standard.
Challenges Faced by Organizers
Obviously, not everything is simple. Implementing these new practices often involves additional investments. Reusable cups must be purchased, washed, and stored. Water fountains require suitable connections. Compostable alternatives are sometimes more expensive and not always available in large quantities.
It is also necessary to train teams, inform volunteers, and raise awareness among service providers. And above all, ensure that every link in the chain plays its part. Because with the slightest failure, the overall compliance of the event can be called into question.
Future Prospects and Possible Evolutions
The momentum initiated by the AGEC law is not expected to stop there. Other prohibitions or restrictions could emerge in the coming years, with reinforced requirements on reuse and packaging reduction. Innovations in bio-based materials or edible packaging offer promising avenues for the future.
At the same time, the public is becoming increasingly sensitive to these environmental issues. Today, many festival-goers appreciate and support these eco-responsible initiatives. A festival that anticipates and communicates well about its commitments often reaps a significant image benefit.
Conclusion
The AGEC law requires festivals to fundamentally rethink their way of operating. While the constraints are real, they also come with opportunities: to promote an eco-responsible image, meet public expectations, and sustainably engage in an ecological transition process. It is therefore better to anticipate these obligations rather than to endure them. After all, a successful festival is also one that respects its environment.
