Ecomaison supports retailers in setting up in-store take-back programs. This type of take-back is particularly encouraged to facilitate the re-use of furnishings.
François Chague, Head of Consumer Services Development at Ecomaison, explains.
What is the take-back obligation for distributors?
The take-back scheme is based on the regulatory obligations arising from the AGEC law to encourage the collection, reuse and recycling of objects. Consumers can drop off their old products or have them taken back by distributors, at no extra cost.
Since 2022, distributors in the furniture industry have been required to organize the take-back of used furniture and bedding from their customers, whether these products have been purchased directly in the store or delivered to the customer's home. Ecomaison supports its members in all these initiatives.
Who are the distributors involved in taking back used products?
There are various criteria for determining whether a company is subject to the take-back obligation, and how this obligation is applied. These include the sales area, and sales figures for products sold online. In fact, the trade-in obligation applies just as much to distance-selling distributors as to specialist delivery outlets, such as specialist mattress distributors.
There are 2 types of trade-in:
1-for-0" take-back, with no obligation to buy, if the product is available in the store. Typically, if I'm a bedding specialist, I can take back mattresses and box springs, but not bookcases.
1 for 1" trade-in, in which the distributor takes back the product on condition that the customer buys an equivalent product from the distributor.
How does Ecomaison support distributors?
Ecomaison supports its members throughout the entire process. We help them to understand their obligations. We have developed an online self-diagnosis tool, which enables a company to find out in just a few clicks whether or not it is subject to the takeover, and if so, to which obligations.
We also support them in deploying useful communication media for their customers and their teams, and in setting up collection tools to facilitate product take-back. This is important, because retailers also have an obligation to inform their customers about take-back and its procedures.
Ecomaison is strengthening its strategy in favor of re-use: what does this mean for retailers?
Ecomaison's aim is to encourage re-use and avoid discarding furnishings that could still be of use.
We have sought to diversify the sources of supply for our partners in the Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) who work in the field of reuse, in order to increase the pool of materials to which they have access.
François Chague
We're currently deploying a system that facilitates take-back by these associations and integration companies, directly from distributors. This includes the provision of closed, secure reuse containers for sorting reusable furniture, before an association comes to collect it. Two sizes are available: 16m3 and 30m3.
We also carry out meticulous work to establish contacts and identify needs and opportunities. It's bearing fruit, and we're working to expand it. Our goal is to deploy nearly 600 containers this year.Ultimately, the aim is to divert some 10,000 tonnes of furniture and bedding into reuse every year.
