Fast food | “It has reduced a lot, a lot of waste”

(Paris, France) A soft drink, a crush of fries and a bowl of chicken kibble; A classic meal of fast food… with the notable difference that it is served here in reusable dishes.

Posted at 5:00 a.m.

The thing is not anecdotal in France. Therefore, which in January 2023 became the first country in the world to ban disposable dishes in restaurants, for meals consumed on site.

“It has reduced a lot. Nevertheless, a lot the waste that we generate,” says Matthieu Choppard, operating advisor at Bioburger, who has 26 branches in France, including 11 in Paris.

The well -frame prohibition with the environmental values of the young French chain of “improved fastfood”. Moreover, which only serves organic, fresh and mainly local products, says Matthieu Choppard.

It was necessary to modify the kitchen of certain restaurants, train the teams, educate customers and even adapt the computer management system.

“It is necessary that in the kitchen. we know which meal is to take away and what is for consumption on site”, since they are now served fast food | “it reduced in different containers, illustrates Matthieu Choppard.

BIOBURGER estimates that it has reduced its waste by one tonne per restaurant per year. which results in savings of 7,000 euros ($ 11,000) per restaurant, fully compensating for initial investments.

The ban requires 30 to 60 minutes of additional work per day to manage the dishwasher. the sorting of the plateaus, says Matthieu Choppard.

“We removed all the fast food | “it reduced garbage cans to prevent dishes [s’y retrouve] He explains.

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Large unusual channels

Large fast food chains display less enthusiasm than Bioburger.

McDonald’s says. for example, that it has not been shown that reusable dishes is a more ecological solution, taking into account the consumption of water, detergent and energy that washing requires.

“Objectively. I am unable to say today what system is the best,” said The press Yannick AUGRANDENIS, from the fast food | “it reduced public relations firm that manages the communications of McDonald’s France.

The American multinational has nevertheless complied with the law. is even one of the best students, in the opinion of the ecological organization Zero Waste France (zero waste France).

“We are leaders on our market. we must be exemplary,” said Angrandenis, saying that adaptation required investments of 100,000 euros ($ 156,000) per restaurant on average, for a total of $ 156 million ($ 243 million) on the level fast food | “it reduced of France.

In 95 % of branches. the dishes are washed on site, but some had to turn to an outsourced diving service, he explains, sometimes causing supply breaks, which explains that meals are sometimes “exceptionally” served in disposable dishes.

The famous chain, which opted for “playful dishes” reproducing “the MCDO code”, also faced a phenomenon of solid flight.

The press itself noted the phenomenon at the airport, when a traveler left his bag the reusable version of the iconic Cornet of McDonald’s red fries, as it goes to safety.

Burger King did not follow up on the many requests to The presswhile the Kentucky Frit chicken chain. known in France under its English acronym KFC, did not want to answer questions.

“This is not a priority subject for us. ” said Léna Bourlet, of the KFC France public relations agency, saying that she does not want to grab a person to talk about it.

Most restaurateurs have opted for washable plastic dishes. which worries Zero Waste France, due to its durability and possible migration fast food | “it reduced of contaminants in food.

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Good law, but deficient application

The ban on disposable dishes, which stems from Antigaspillage law for a circular economyis “ambitious”, welcomes Zero Waste France, who denounces a “lack of political will” to enforce it.

“The restaurateurs were not sufficiently checked at the time of the implementation. so there were not enough sanctions [pour les contrevenants] », Landers Noémie Brouillard, project manager of the organization.

Fines ranging fast food | “it reduced from 1500 euros to 15,000 euros (from $ 2,350 to $ 23,500) are not dissuasive enough, she adds.

Nearly 300 inspections were carried out in 2023. more than 90 in 2024, on the thousands of restaurants in France, said in an email in The press The French ministry of ecological transition, biodiversity, forest, sea and fishing, adding that fines have been increased and can now go up to 45,000 euros ($ 70,000).

The ministry. which declined the request for interview with The pressdid not answer questionss As for the number of fines which have been imposed and their amount.

Zero Waste France also deplores “a vagueness in the law”. which ensures that the burglar packaging paper remains authorized, as are the sachets of condiments -, the latter will however be prohibited in 2030 under European fast food | “it reduced regulation.

The organization now hopes that the prohibition will be extended to the packaging of meals to take away. whose sale “has exploded since [la pandémie de] COVID-19 “, and warns that such a ban can only succeed if the State facilitates the establishment of universal solutions.