3. Main treatment and recovery routes

3.1 Figures available for France

In a web publication dated March 7, 2019, FP2E argued that in France, the recovery of urban waste sludge in agriculture is a major channel in wastewater management. Every year, 70% of sewage sludge is recovered through composting or agricultural spreading, and over 80% in wastewater services managed by water companies. Moreover, by 2020, France has declared to the European Commission that 80% of its sludge will be recycled in agriculture.

Agricultural recovery includes land application (44% of sludge in 2016) and composting for use as an organic soil improver (36% of sludge in 2016).

The 13th annual report of the OFB's water and wastewater utilities observatory for 2021, based on declarations from wastewater...