FRANCE: Growth predicted for domestic waste separation industry

Ademe figures show that the French waste industry generated 29.3 million francs in 1998. Growth is expected to have continued during 1999 despite a volatile waste incineration sector. The agency is forecasting continued growth for the waste industry as a whole.

Ademe predicts “for the year 2000, a new acceleration of the growth of the waste industry, due in particular to renewed growth in the French economy”.

Valerie Martin, of Ademe, told edie that “there will be growth in the domestic waste separation industry in France in 2000 because this sector has to increase. Based on information provided by companies working in the sector, a 14% growth rate is projected. The group of [legal and legislative] measures adopted in 1998 and 1999 will contribute to expansion of this sector.”

Ademe was created in 1990 and is managed by the Environment Ministry, the Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of Research. Its areas of activity are:

• energy efficiency and natural resource industries
• promotion of renewable energy
• promotion of clean and affordable technologies
• waste reduction, elimination, recovery and valuing
• prevention and remediation of air pollution
• work to limit noise pollution
• contaminated soil prevention and remediation