It has been mandatory since January 1. But around forty fast or collective catering brands have presented their action plan on the implementation of reusable tableware, aiming “to bring restaurants into compliance by the end of June”, the government announced on Thursday. .
In early February, the Ministry of Ecological Transition announced that ten brands had not yet submitted an action plan: Compass Group, Restoria, 1001 Meals, Elior, Dupont Restauration, Starbucks, Domino’s, Five Guys, McDonalds (Antilles) and Nabab Kebab. Invited on Thursday to take stock of the compliance of their restaurants, “all the brands have submitted a corrective action plan, with the exception of two of them”, Nabab Kebab and Domino’s.
Fines and legal reminders
Only four say they already respect the law: Brioche Dorée, Prêt A Manger, EXKi and Parc Astérix, said Bérangère Couillard, Secretary of State for Ecology. This law does not only target fast food: it also concerns “company restaurants and local authorities (cafeterias, self-services, etc.),” she indicated, specifying that France was a pioneer in Europe in this area. domain.
Since January 1, fast food restaurants must use reusable tableware for meals and drinks served at the table, whether cups, lids, plates, containers or cutlery, in application of the law relating to the fight against waste and the circular economy (Agec), voted in 2020. The obligation applies to restaurants that can accommodate at least 20 guests. While fast food has 40,000 establishments, “sixteen checks were carried out in restaurants” to verify the application of the law, giving rise to “three fines” – two at Nabab Kebab and one at a Domino’s point of sale – and “eight legal reminders,” the statement said.
Controls soon to be “reinforced”
The fines are fines of up to 7,500 euros and “daily penalties may be incurred if the restaurant does not bring it up to standard,” said the ministry. Restaurant controls will be “reinforced”, assures the government, promising a new meeting by the end of 2023, and companies “will have to publish [en ligne]by the end of May, their action plans”, according to Bérangère Couillard.
Some brands have said they need time to carry out the necessary work to wash the dishes or have indicated that they are experiencing delays in the delivery of new containers. This measure should make it possible to avoid “200,000 tonnes of waste per year”, while last year “20 billion disposable containers and cutlery were thrown away” in fast food outlets in France, declared for his part Christophe Béchu , Minister of Ecological Transition and Territorial Cohesion, quoted in the press release.