This issue, “The circular economy: illustrations and practices" currently available only in french, offers an in-depth and multifaceted exploration of the circular economy. The dossier highlights the challenges of governance, economic models, and planning, as well as their operational implementation at different levels—national, regional, and local. Through numerous sector-specific case studies (industry, construction, water, agriculture, waste management, reuse, biomass), it provides concrete examples of how the principles of the circular economy can be translated into practice throughout the life cycle of resources and up to their end-of-life recovery.
In this context, the French Solid Waste Partnership, alongside several of its members, has written an article entitled “Energy recovery from waste” (Responsibility & Environment – “The circular economy: illustrations and practices,” No. 121, January 2026, Paris, Annales des Mines (ISSN 1268-4783), pages 95–99.), co-authored by: Christophe CORD’HOMME (WasteTT), Frédéric GIOUSE (Cabinet Merlin), Paloma GENGOUX and Corinne TROMMSDORFF (French Solid Waste Partnership (FSWP)), Sébastien CUEILLENS (Urbaser Environnement), Giulia BARINA and David AGUDELO-ROMERO (Waga Energy).
Our article
This article analyzes the strategic role of waste-to-energy in the French context, as the penultimate link in the circular economy hierarchy, at the intersection of climate issues and energy sovereignty. It presents the two main energy recovery sectors: waste-to-energy and biogas production, as well as their contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and producing local energy, which is mainly renewable. The discussion is also broadened to an international level, highlighting the diversity of possible trajectories and the importance of coherent territorial and energy planning for the effective and sustainable deployment of these solutions.
This article highlights the opportunities offered by energy recovery for waste management that is both environmentally and health-friendly, but also promotes the circular economy. It also reminds us of the importance of respecting the waste treatment hierarchy, starting with prevention.
Find and download the entire issue of Responsabilité & Environnement n°121 on the Annales des Mines website.
