Our model
At Ecomaison, our model is governed by the principle of Extended Producer Responsibility(EPR). The aim of EPR is to act on the entire life cycle of products, from eco-design to waste management, and from the extension of their useful life to the consumption of recycled materials. It implies that all economic players are responsible for the entire life cycle of the products they put on the market, in accordance with the polluter-pays principle.
Ecomaison is there to help them meet their obligations and commit to a circular economy approach, to reduce the environmental impact of their activity.
Ecomaison, a major player in the circular economy
The circular economy lies at the heart of the eco-organization project, a course clearly set by the AGEC law. The stakes are high, and Ecomaison, at the crossroads of all stakeholders, intends to play a leading role. Through its actions, but also by encouraging manufacturers and distributors, operators, local authorities, players in the social economy and the general public to take action.
The central, driving role of Ecomaison
Thanks to its central position vis-à-vis the players in its four sectors, Ecomaison acts on all the levers of the circular economy. Indeed, Ecomaison believes that the principle of Extended Producer Responsibility enables us to engage them directly in the circular transformation.
They are not only the financial players, but also the operational ones for those who wish to develop re-use, repair or incorporate raw materials into their new products.
Ecomaison, a player in virtuous dynamics
- For reuse: by speeding up the development of reuse by linking up stores and players in the Social and Solidarity Economy, and by providing appropriate equipment so that all collection points - waste collection centers, retailers, associations - can preserve the objects collected and thus facilitate their reuse.
- For the incorporation of recycled materials in the manufacture of new products. Ecomaison connects its member producers with recycling operators, who then become their raw material suppliers.
- For eco-design: Ecomaison helps its members with their eco-design projects by supporting innovation and, here again, facilitating contact between innovators and manufacturers.
Ecomaison makes life easier for everyone
By extending its scope of action to four sectors all linked to the world of the home, Ecomaison has positioned itself as a facilitator.
- This makes it easier for member companies, as most of them manufacture and/or distribute household products from these four sectors. A decoration store may sell furniture, carpets, plush toys, planters or bathtubs. With Ecomaison, they benefit from a one-stop shop for their obligations, as well as support in their overall circular economy approach.
- Facilitator for players in the Social and Solidarity Economy, as Ecomaison has set itself ambitious targets in terms of re-use. By broadening the product families accessible via Ecomaison services, associations benefit from larger flows with more diversified ranges of objects. For example, obtaining DIY tools by donation or purchase at a fair price can be very useful!
- Facilitator for waste collection and treatment operators. All the objects and products handled by Ecomaison have one thing in common: their composition. Most of them are made up of wood, metal, plastic, glass, foam, etc. Ecomaison's approach is to switch from sorting by product type to sorting by material. This makes it possible to massify the volumes collected and optimize recycling performance.
- Facilitator for industrial players. Ecomaison is part of a drive for circularity based on high-performance recycling channels, capable of producing high-quality recycled materials that can be used by a network of local industrial players. For Ecomaison, the aim is to create value on a local scale, by acting as a catalyst for local investment and innovation.
- Facilitator for individuals and professionals : with 8,600 collection points installed throughout France and in the French overseas territories (DROM-COM), Ecomaison offers a solution within a 15 km radius to all French people. Covering the whole home, it facilitates the sorting reflex, so that you know what to do with used or unused objects.
Donate or recycle
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EPR, a major tool for the circular economy
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is defined by the French Environment Code (L541-10), which states that companies that place products on the market - also known as "producers" - are responsible for financing and managing their end-of-life. The government sets them environmental targets, which they must finance and meet, individually or collectively, via a government-approved eco-organization.
France currently has 20 EPR channels. Ecomaison is approved for 4 of these associated with the world of the home: furnishings (DEA), building products and materials (PMCB), DIY and garden items (ABJ) and toys.
Manufacturer? Manufacturer? Distributor ? Importer ?
"Producer" refers to the company that places a product on the national market; this may be a manufacturer producing in France, an importer or a distributor with its own brand. Producers must, at the very least, finance the sector in proportion to the volumes (in tons) they place on the market.
Did you know? Every producer must have a unique identification number (UID).
The unique identification number(IDU) concerns all individuals and legal entities subject to Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). It identifies them to ADEME as a marketer, and is proof that they are meeting their regulatory obligations.
Ecomaison delivers the unique identifier as soon as a service contract is signed. A specific IDU is required for each sector. The IDU must appear in two key places: on invoices and in the general sales conditions (GSC).
The regulatory compliance of marketers is regularly monitored by the French government. In the absence of a unique identification number on the terms and conditions of sale or any other contractual document, a fine of up to €30,000 may be incurred.
The AGEC Act
Today, EPR channels are governed by the French Anti-Waste and Circular Economy Act (AGEC), enacted in 2020. It has gradually given rise to new EPR channels, such as those for construction, DIY and toys. It has also strengthened their obligations and objectives: environmental labelling, eco-design, reuse, repair, incorporation of recycled materials, etc.
These new priorities aim to significantly develop the circular economy in France.
A little history
The first Extended Producer Responsibility program was launched in 1992, for household packaging. Over the years, the system has been extended to new product families. In France, 20 EPR channels are now active. The EPR system is also applied on a European scale, notably for packaging, batteries and accumulators, electrical and electronic equipment and medicines.