French Solid Waste Partnership

Position Paper on Circular Economy and a 2050 Vision

Lucia Lopez — 2026-06-04T15:13:45Z

Circular economy is not an end in itself. Its ultimate goal is not to “increase recycling” or “close loops”, but to build a future where value creation is decoupled from environmental bads —including resource extraction, and waste generation.

In public debate, circular economy is often reduced to recycling. However, recent international work – in particular the ISO 59004 norm, adopted in 2024, which breaks down the “10R” principle* into 13 actions ordered according to the life cycle – shows that a complete circular economy begins well before recycling and continues well beyond it. Refusing and avoiding some products or uses, rethinking the needs, adapting production through eco-design, reducing resource consumption, reusing, repairing, reconditioning, remanufacturing, repurposing, recycling, recovering energy, and even recovering materials stored in historic landfill sites: these actions form a coherent scale where recycling and energy recovery are at the bottom, once all the levers of reduction, moderation, sustainability, reuse and repair have been activated.

These coordinated actions only make sense when viewed in the context of the three objectives of circular economy: to reduce environmental and health impacts, to maintain an economy that creates value and jobs, and to ensure our societies' resource sovereignty and resilience.

Given the imperative of ecological, economic and social transition, the French Solid Waste Partnership (FSWP) is contributing to international discussions on what a circular economy could ultimately look like in 2050, both in France and around the world.

Read the full Position Paper about Circular Economy and a 2050 Vision.

Global Push Presentation

Lucia Lopez — 2026-05-28T07:58:30Z

Sustainable resources and waste management is a key cross-cutting issue for public health, environmental protection, the fight against climate change, the preservation of biodiversity and the transition to more resilient economies implementing the actions of the circular economy.*

Many international initiatives are already working to achieve the SDGs and to the protection of health and the environment by improving the sustainable management of resources and waste. Nevertheless, their ambitions remain scattered and fragmented. There are many actors involved — national and local authorities, businesses, financial institutions, international organisations, civil society actors, academia — but they do not yet have a common space to structure dialogue, share experiences and collectively examine the necessary transition pathways. The absence of such a common space and of a shared global vision on resources and waste limits the coherence and impact of international actions.

It was in response to this observation that the international “Global Push” initiative emerged, of which the primary objective is to enable local action, developed under the impetus of the FSWP (French Solid Waste Partnership), with several discussion partners: ISWA (International Solid Waste Association), UNEP-IETC (United Nations Environment Programme), the Secretariat of the BRS Conventions (Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm) and UN-Habitat.

To learn more read aou page on the subject here :
Global Push Initiative

*Refer to ISO Standard 59004 for the list of 13 prioritised actions, also available here.

Economie circulaire, Stahel et Lambert, 2025

Corinne — 2026-05-19T12:18:59Z

Fiche de Lecture - Economie circulaire. Les défis à relever pour atteindre une économie de performance.
Publication de Walter R. Stahel et François-Michel Lambert. Ed. Dunod, mars 2025, 272 pages.

Et si la croissance économique ne dépendait plus de la quantité de biens produits et achetés, mais de leur durée de vie allongée, de leur usage intensifié et maximisé ? Dans leur livre « Économie circulaire. Les défis à relever pour atteindre une économie de performance », François-Michel Lambert et Walter R. Stahel, pionnier de la pensée circulaire, nous invitent à repenser notre rapport à la production, à la consommation et à la valeur. Cet ouvrage décrit une économie où performance rime avec durabilité, où chaque acteur – entreprise, citoyen, décideur public – devient partie prenante d'un modèle plus sobre et plus efficace. Ce livre est essentiel pour comprendre les mutations à venir et pour agir dès aujourd'hui pour une économie du XXIᵉ siècle vraiment soutenable. Il offre un nouveau cadre conceptuel, pour appréhender au mieux les enjeux de l'économie circulaire, notamment par les notions de domaines du R et du D et le développement abouti ce que doit être l'économie de performance, concept dont Walter Stahel en est le pionnier (avec Orio Giarini), avec la publication de référence en 1990 Les limites du certain.

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)

Position Paper: Waste-to-Energy Facilities

Lucia Lopez — 2025-11-28T12:37:59Z

In the context of ongoing debates on energy recovery from waste, the French Solid Waste Partnership (FSWP) is publishing a position paper on the role of waste-to-energy (WtE) facilities within waste and resource management systems. This document is primarily intended for public decision-makers and international institutions.

This position papers recalls that the primary mission of the public waste management service is control waste streams in order to minimize their impacts on health and the environment, in line with the Basel Convention.

It reiterates the waste treatment hierarchy: first, reducing waste generation; then recovering the material contained in waste; and finally, recovering the energy contained in residual waste.

From this perspective, WtE facilities are presented as the ultimate step in the circular economy, relevant in systems in which waste streams are well known and controlled and when installations are dimensioned in line with materials circularity ambitions.

The paper calls on international institutions to support the established waste treatment hierarchy, to empower local decision-makers with the choice of the most appropriate solutions, while ensuring compliance with Environmentally Sound Management of waste.

Atlas on waste management and climate change mitigation

Pauline — 2025-07-08T12:01:35Z

This publication is produced in partnership with the French Development Agency (AFD) and with the support of the International Solid Waste Association (ISWA) working group on Waste Management and Climate Change.

As the next generation of NDCs takes shape ahead of COP30 and ambitions must rise, waste management remains an overlooked yet powerful lever for mitigation.

Produced by the French Solid Waste Partnership (FSWP) with contributions from the French Development Agency (AFD) and the International Solid Waste Association (ISWA), this Atlas demonstrates how improved waste policies and practices can substantially reduce global greenhouse gas emissions.

Drawing on data from 103 AFD countries and their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), the publication assesses the current state of waste management globally and outlines four strategic levers for impactful action: waste prevention, reduce open burning and open dumping to more environmentally sound landfilling and organic waste management, energy recovery, and material recycling.

Aimed at policymakers and climate finance stakeholders, this Atlas serves as an essential resource, calling for greater recognition and integration of sustainable waste management as a cornerstone of effective climate solutions.

Waste Management to Address the Climate Crisis

Pauline — 2025-07-02T07:10:13Z

“By improving waste management, we can prevent up to 20% of the total anthropogenic GHG emissions in the world—one of the most significant opportunities for climate mitigation available today.” (ISWA, 2024, COP29 Declaration).
This publication uncovers the pivotal role waste management can play in addressing the climate crisis, exploring 3 crucial levers of GHG emissions reduction: technical, regulatory and financial.

As the climate crisis grows more urgent and international Climate COPs strive to build consensus on concrete mitigation measures, waste management is emerging as a crucial component of the solution. This publication brings together expert insights, practical solutions, and case studies to demonstrate how the Environmentally Sound Management (ESM) of waste can help face the climate crisis.

Key messages
An Environmentally Sound Management (ESM) of waste should be made available to all, everywhere around the world. Its implementation is only possible with the full commitment of stakeholders to their respective roles and responsibilities.
Waste management should be included in countries' Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) given its undeniable potential in achieving the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Assessing direct and indirect GHG emissions (scopes 1, 2, 3 and avoided emissions) is key to guide decisions and policy making, as well as to evaluate and monitor the impacts of reduction levers.
Priority should be given to the levers of waste prevention and increased recyclability, while including the informal sector to ensure a just transition. However, the ESM of the waste that could not be avoided nor recycled, is just as much a priority to reduce methane and black carbon emissions. These two greenhouse gases both have a high global warming potential and result directly from mismanaged waste.
The public policy and regulatory levers are crucial in driving incremental change in waste prevention and management. They should include fiscal instruments enable a cost recovery approach to make waste management systems viable.
Financial mechanisms are key in bridging the existing funding gaps and in driving worldwide implementation of sustainable waste management systems.

This publication aims at inspiring all stakeholders directly or indirectly connected to the waste sector to build a common vision to drive local actions in this field, as a path towards climate change mitigation.

PressRelease.

Waste management around the world - Infographic

Pauline — 2024-10-01T14:47:54Z

We need strong commitments from United Nations member states on waste and resources management to transition to a more circular economy.

The issue of waste is central and fundamental to the overall achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) defined by the UN and adopted by the United Nations. The quantity and nature of waste generated, and the way we manage it, are cross-cutting indicators of our ability to develop sustainably. Yet there are few specific targets for waste. SDG 11 entrusts waste management to local authorities. ODD 12 integrates it under the angle of reducing food waste, responsible production and recycling. The question of waste is explicitly addressed in the Agenda 2030 through the following two perspectives:

Our ability to reduce our needs, cut waste and produce raw materials from recycling (SDG12): action by governments is required for the transition to sobriety coupled with a circular economy intensifying the various stages of material use.
Cities and communities ability(ODD 11) to collect and treat waste, pollution (air, water and soil) and blockages in urban drainage, increasing the risk of flooding and disease transmission.

the sector suffers from a lack of specific indicators and targets recognizing the cross-cutting impact of waste on all the SDGs.

- The facts: 2.1 billion tonnes/year of waste are currently generated, which 0.8 billion tonnes/year are unmanaged. If we continue with the trends and practices of the last 20 years, we will have 3.8 billion tonnes/year of waste generated by 2050, including 1.6 billion tonnes/year unmanaged (Global Waste Management Outlook 2024). The consumption of virgin material, known as the material footprint, exceeds the planet's capacity (estimated at 12 t/pers/year, with a planetary balance of around 6 t/pers/year).

- The ambition : The transition to a scenario where circularity is central, with all waste managed well, would enable us to halve negative externalities on climate change, ecosystems and health, and to release recycling gains exceeding these negative externalities (Global Waste Management Outlook 2024).

- The need: to take this transition towards sound management of all waste and a more sober, circular economy to the highest level of international bodies, in order to ensure that all international frameworks contributing to this transition evolve.

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

Advocacy for the 2024 European elections

Pauline — 2024-06-19T14:06:47Z

Available in french.
We call on the heads of delegation of the parties elected at the European elections to raise waste management to the highest international level. Improving waste management is a necessity in the context of the Agenda 2030; its implementation depends on stronger European advocacy.