Originally, Zero Waste France was called CNID, the National Center for Investigation and Information on Waste, which has gradually evolved, building both its expertise on waste issues and on extended producer responsibility, as well as regulating waste. It has also expanded its footprint through a network of local groups that are committed and mobilized for waste reduction at the local level.
Waste reduction can be achieved through individual actions and changes in daily practices. Within its local groups, the association conducts awareness-raising activities to explain how to reduce our consumption of everyday products, clothing, how to better sort our organic waste, and promote bulk buying and reuse to reduce our consumption of plastic packaging.
However, the NGO's goal is to bring about much more systemic and collective changes, which involve a shift in regulation, consumption modes, and scales.
Zero Waste France has been very active in the development of the AGEC law. “We advocate for bulk and reuse to have an increasingly important place in large retail, at more accessible prices, so that gradually, we reduce our addiction and dependence on plastic and single-use plastic packaging,” emphasizes Bastien Faure.
Similarly, in other sectors, whether it be furniture or textiles, Zero Waste France is mobilizing to ensure that reuse and repair are more valued and supported. “And we also advocate for source reduction, especially in the textile sector.”
Today, we have an exploding clothing consumption. A French person buys a piece of clothing almost every week, or at least, a piece of clothing is produced for them every week. “So we insist on having a more reasoned consumption, for a change in narrative and beliefs around our consumption. We try to highlight more sustainable consumption modes.”
Zero Waste France is also part of the Stop Fast Fashion coalition since its inception.
The mission of Zero Waste France is primarily to inform. “We analyze, we write, we study, we produce reports and for example, we try to bring to the public agenda and public debate issues that we consider critical in terms of waste reduction and resource wastage.”
Next, the NGO engages in advocacy work to push for regulatory advancements. “We have a very strong, historical fight to denounce the false promises made by the recycling industry, which is used as a mirage by most plastic manufacturers to maintain the status quo and the use of single-use plastic packaging.”
“So it is part of our work to deconstruct these narratives and ensure that both the general public and decision-makers have an informed perspective on these issues, and that collectively, we succeed in making the right choices to prioritize waste reduction at the source, rather than believing that recycling will be the only main and unique solution to slightly improve the situation.”
These arguments are sometimes heard, sometimes retained, and they influence the construction of the law and the main lines defined in government policies. “That is also, fundamentally, part of our successes,” concludes Bastien Faure.
