7. Recycling of inert and non-hazardous waste

Construction and public works waste in France amounts to 230 million tons (Mt) per year, representing 70% of all waste. With 93% of this waste being inert (unpolluted soil, rubble, concrete, bricks, tiles, etc.), the target set by the Energy Transition Act was to recover 70% of it by 2020. This target has been exceeded, with most of it being reused as road sub-base and quarry fill. We must continue, and the challenge is the treatment of finishing work waste (3% of the waste produced in France). The target will be achieved in the coming years, although 35,000 companies are small businesses facing difficulties in sorting, depositing, or collecting waste at specialized sites.

The recovery of inert waste does not require a specific permit to comply with the regulations of the Environmental Code. However, the project owner responsible for the recovery operation must...