France Delays Single-Use Plastic Cup Ban to 2030 Amid Technical Challenges

The French government has postponed its planned ban on single-use plastic cups by four years, moving the start date to January 1, 2030. The original ban was scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2025, but officials cited difficulties in finding suitable alternatives as the main reason for the delay.

New Review Planned for 2028

The Ministry for Ecological Transition explained that a recent review into the “technical feasibility of eliminating plastic from cups” justified pushing back the deadline. The decree states that a new review will be conducted in 2028 to assess “progress made in replacing single-use plastic cups.” Once the ban takes effect, companies will have 12 months to remove remaining stock from circulation.

France’s Gradual Move Against Single-Use Plastics

France has steadily introduced restrictions on single-use plastics over the past decade to curb pollution in rivers and oceans. A 2020 law set a nationwide goal to eliminate all single-use plastics by 2040. Earlier measures include the 2022 ban on plastic bags for small loads under 1.5 kilograms of fruits and vegetables, which has already reshaped consumer habits in supermarkets.

Environmental Groups Criticize Delay

The postponement has drawn criticism from environmental activists. Manon Richert, spokeswoman for Zero Waste France, called the delay “yet another step backwards in the fight against plastic pollution, under pressure from lobby groups.” She added that the government’s claim of technical infeasibility is weak, noting that solutions exist. But lacks widespread adoption due to insufficient investment and regulatory support.

Several environmental organizations, including Zero Waste France, Surfrider Foundation Europe, Les Amis de la Terre, France Nature Environnement, and No Plastic in my Sea, expressed frustration at the slow pace of implementing the 2020 law. In early 2024, these groups issued a failing grade in their report card. They pointed out unimplemented measures and government decrees that limited the law’s effectiveness.

Regulatory Gaps Highlighted

Meanwhile, the government’s Dgccrf consumer protection agency reported last year. That nearly one in five companies checked in 2023 violated regulations on single-use plastic items. Investigators discovered that some companies sold products labeled as plastic-free that actually contained plastic, while others renamed items to bypass the ban.

Key Takeaways

• France postpones the single-use plastic cup ban to 2030.

• New review scheduled for 2028 to track progress in alternatives.

• Environmentalists warn that lobbying and weak regulations are slowing the phaseout.

• Past inspections reveal regulatory non-compliance among companies marketing plastic-free products.