In 2019, Eco-mobilier collected 874,052 tonnes of WEEE (waste furniture elements), up 27% on the previous year.
93% of this was recycled into new recycled raw materials or recovered as energy. Once again, Eco-mobilier exceeds the regulatory target of 80% of furniture recycled or recovered, set by the public authorities. This very positive result confirms Eco-mobilier's goal of "ZERO waste" for furniture by 2023.
All the 2019 figures can be found in Eco-mobilier's annual report, available by following this link.
Paris, July 30, 2020 - Eco-mobilier is the eco-organization in charge of collecting, sorting and recycling all furniture, furnishings and fixtures. Since October 2018, Eco-mobilier has also taken charge of used comforters and pillows.
Eco-mobilier has grown from 686,000 tonnes of furniture collected in 2018 to 874,052 tonnes in 2019, an increase of 27%.
"By 2021, we expect to be disposing of one million tonnes of used furniture every year. This represents a profound change for our industry, which in 2011 was still landfilling up to 55% of used furniture, and which is now determinedly moving towards ZERO waste," explains Dominique Mignon, President of Eco-mobilier.
More and more collection solutions for used furniture
In order to enable all French people to find a collection solution close to home to get rid of furniture they no longer need, Eco mobilier is developing local solutions with 4,794 collection points available in France in 2019, offering a territory coverage rate of 96.2%.
- local authorities collect 81% of used furniture. The French can go to one of the 2,919 drop-off centers equipped with an Eco-mobilier skip, or use the bulky goods collection services in certain large towns.
- the 370 players in the social economy, who have signed an agreement with Eco-mobilier, collect 13% of the tons of used furniture. These players train their staff to give a second life to the furniture donated to them. As a result, Eco-mobilier collected 50,353 tonnes of used furniture from these players, an increase of +31% on 2018.
- The 1392 professionals equipped with an Eco-mobilier skip collect 6% of used furniture. The vast majority of these are distributors (major furniture and bedding retailers, etc.) who take back used furniture when they deliver new furniture.
Recycling, reuse and recovery results exceed targets
The recycling and recovery rate, which now stands at 93%, should be seen in the context of the spectacular reduction in the landfill rate, from 55% in 2011 to 7% in 2019.
57% of furniture is recycled. Recycling gives a second life to furniture, transforming its components into new, recycled raw materials. For example, recycled wood furniture is used in the manufacture of particleboard.
36% of furniture becomes solid recovered fuel (SRF). Non-hazardous, non-recyclable furniture components are crushed and transformed into SRF, which is mainly used to fuel cement kilns or district heating networks instead of oil. It offers the dual advantage of keeping used furniture out of landfill and preserving natural resources.
Innovative actions to promote the circular economy
" Eco-mobilier is aiming for ZERO waste for furniture by 2023. We're doing everything we can to organize an optimized collection system, closer to the people who live there, so that we can go out and collect all the household items they want to get rid of," explains Dominique Mignon, President of Eco-mobilier.
- A redesigned model for even greater efficiency
The effective renewal of all used furniture collection, sorting and preparation contracts as of January 1, 2020, which enables Eco-mobilier to implement a new, more economical and environmentally friendly operational scheme, while promoting the development of recycling and recovery solutions, close to home;
A new service contract for members of the furniture trade, with eco-participation rates that take better account of product recyclability;
A contract running until 2023 for local authorities, based on support and collection optimization.
- Research and innovation for all materials
Eco-mobilier is pursuing research and innovation projects involving materials from
used furniture:
- The development of foam recycling from used mattresses, with the realization of projects selected as part of the Eco-innovation Challenge in 2017.
- The development of outlets for wood from used furniture to improve combustion and recovery conditions.
- The launch of an open-innovation platform, (RE)SET Furniture for Éco-mobilier, aimed at connecting members with innovative companies to accelerate the circular economy in the furniture sector.