French Solid Waste Partnership

Article: Energy recovery from waste

Lucia Lopez — 2026-01-14T10:22:58Z

The leading scientific journal “Les Annales des Mines”, which analyzes major issues related to sustainable development, energy, and industrial transformation, published its 121st issue in the “Responsibility & Environment” series in January 2026, coordinated by Catherine Chevauché, a member of the PFD representing Veolia.

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.

Table of contents of the journal (FR)

Technical note: EPR in the Plastic Treaty

Pauline — 2025-07-15T13:06:07Z

As negotiations progress toward an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment, many national focal points have called for clear and practical guidance on how to establish Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) systems. In response, the ISWA Working Group on Governance and Legal Issues has developed this technical note — an introductory roadmap outlining key steps and success factors for designing and implementing effective EPR schemes that can fulfil their potential in combating plastic pollution.

Ahead of the Global Plastics Treaty negotiations, policymakers face a singular opportunity to chart a new course for how the world designs, uses, and manages plastic. Today, more than 430 million tonnes of plastic are produced annually, yet less than 10 % is recycled effectively. At least 11 million tonnes of plastics leak into rivers and oceans annually, damaging marine ecosystems and threatening human health. An estimated 9% of the plastics ever produced have been recycled, and 12% have been incinerated. The remainder is either still in use, has been disposed of in landfills, or released into the environment, including the oceans.These figures underscore an urgent need for systemic change across every stage of the plastic lifecycle.

EPR has proven to be a scalable and effective mechanism that shifts part of the responsibility from municipalities to producers, providing funding for the end-of-life management of products, as well as driving eco-design innovation. In this regard, as recycling options or alternatives to plastics are identified, the impacts of these actions should be carefully reviewed to ensure their alignment with the holistic SDG framework. As the paper outlines the ideal EPR framework, lessons learned from existing schemes are accounted for.

Aligned with ISWA's key messages for INC-5.1, particularly Key Message 5 on providing waste management solutions tailored to socio-economic and cultural conditions, this paper provides guidance on the full potential of EPR and its key success factors, as support to the final negotiations of the Global Plastics Treaty. Providing flexibility to account for the specific context is a critical element for the integration of this instrument in the Treaty. For example, in the case of Small Island States, regional EPRs are being explored.

This paper serves as a practical guide for national delegates, providing:

An overview of the EPR in plastic waste management and its potential to drive circularity
A roadmap in 5 steps for setting up EPR schemes.
Policy recommendations on the content of EPR schemes to ensure their role as a cornerstone of the transition to a circular economy for plastics, which goes way beyond focusing on recycling, as outlined in the newly produced ISO Norm 59004 on circular economy.

Enhancing landfill efficiency to drive greenhouse gas reduction

Pauline — 2024-09-30T10:31:51Z

'Methane is responsible for around 30% of the rise in global temperatures since the industrial revolution, and rapid and sustained reductions in methane emissions are key to limit near-term warming and improve air quality' (IEA,2023). This article investigates the pivotal role of non-hazardous waste landfills in achieving greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction objectives within the European Union (EU).

This study leverages the experience of key stakeholders in the European landfilling, assesses the efficacy of ‘best-in-class' landfill installations, evaluates their potential impact on GHG reduction, and offers concrete recommendations for operators and policymakers.

‘Best-in-class' landfills exceed the commonly accepted best practices by implementing all the following practices:

an anticipated capture system during the operating phase,
prompt installation of the final cover and capture system, with use of an impermeable cover,
operated as bioreactor, keeping optimal humidity,
adequate maintenance and reporting,
recovery of captured gas and
treatment of residual methane emissions throughout the waste decomposition process.

The main finding is that switching from the actual mix of practices to ‘best in class' practices would reduce by 21MtCO₂eq (−36%) the emissions due to the degradation of waste landfilled between 2024 and 2035, compared to the ‘business-as-usual scenario', while also providing a renewable energy source, bringing potential avoided emissions and energy sovereignty. The findings underscore that in addition to implementing the organics diversion and waste reduction targets of the EU, adopting ‘best-in class' landfill practices has the potential to bolster energy recovery, mitigate emissions and stimulate biomethane production, thereby advancing the EU environmental goals.

The article is available on Waste Management & Research : The journal for a Sustainable Circular Economy

The mechanisms that support the implementation of waste management

Pauline — 2024-06-19T13:43:00Z

This note presents the support mechanisms for the implementation of effective municipal waste management systems tailored to national and local conditions, ensuring high collection and mechanical recycling rates, while minimizing plastics being littered, landfilled, or incinerated.

The waste management hierarchy states the following three priorities:

Priority 1 is given to prevention, i.e. approaches that avoid the generation of waste and reduce the quantity of waste introduced into the waste stream.
Priority 2 is to enable waste to be recovered for secondary use, recycling, or energy recovery as much as possible and where it is safe to do so.
Priority 3 is disposal, which is reserved for the residual waste that cannot be recovered. It must be disposed of in a way that reduces its impact on health and the environment.

When starting from scratch, the most urgent is to collect waste and dispose of it safely. Prevention and waste recovery initiatives will continue to grow.

This guidance document focuses on the support mechanisms for the implementation of effective municipal waste management systems tailored to national and local conditions.

This Note was initially developed with an ISWA working group with the aim of informing the Plastic Treaty negotiations in April 2024. It was then further elaborated and refined by PFD members and republished in autumn 2024.

French Solid Waste Partnership

Article: Energy recovery from waste

Our article

Technical note: EPR in the Plastic Treaty

Enhancing landfill efficiency to drive greenhouse gas reduction

The mechanisms that support the implementation of waste management

Watch the video summarizing this technical note