France intends to ban the use of single-use lightweight plastic bags especially for fruit and vegetables, fish and meat on market stalls and in supermarkets from January 1, 2016. At the instigation of the socialist environment minister Ségolène Royal, the Paris parliament decided at the end of June 2014 to allow only reusable carrier bags made of thicker plastic film or paper at the check-outs. A specific film thickness was, however, not explicitly defined. It is up to the individual supermarkets whether they charge for the bags or not. For loose fruit and vegetables and other fresh food, on the other hand, only biodegradable, or compostable plastic bags will be allowed.

From 2002 to 2011, the number of thin plastic carrier bags at French check-outs has, according to Royal, already fallen from 10 bn to 700m a year. The new legislation should put an end to these bags completely. The additional 12 bn plastic bags for fruit and vegetables – predominantly of Asian origin – that will be banned from 2016, will, in the opinion of the minister, be an opportunity for manufacturers of biodegradable bags. In return, she hinted at the prospect of discussions and apparently even subsidies for innovative companies.

The surprising initiative, which, in the opinion of many people, goes beyond the proposal of the European Commission – see Plasteurope.com of 06.11.2013 –, has nevertheless spurred French retailing associations into action. In a joint statement, the organisations of the fruit and vegetable traders and food retailers warned about considerable extra costs for the consumer. They say consumers would have to bear an additional EUR 300m per year.