Perspectives and State of the Art of Composting in France

Summary

The present French situation of waste management is the result of traditionnal treatment plants, sorting-composting MSW composting plants for instance, which are still running, and new perspectives coming from the achievement of the national policy (law n° 92–646 published in 1992). This transition period can be an opportunity for composting development if the three levels of analyze are correctly assessed as well as waste management alternative and as agricultural and ecological pertinence. For this assessment, better knowledge on impacts and new tools of management (including monitoring and control) are required. Up to now, we can consider that, in France all the conditions of composting development are present depending on a common will to do it. The Ademe will propose an adequate working scheme for the next 5 years, hoping that its partners will agree and correctly consider the effort that must be done.