Aurelien Fleurot
In France, the cost of waste management is constantly increasing. According to the latest figures from Eurostat, waste management in France costs more than 20 billion euros per year. But a tonne of treated waste does not cost the same amount depending on whether it is handled by a private company or a public company.
While the mobilization of garbage collectors against the pension reform continues, the cost of waste collection for the community is immense. This budget is even constantly increasing. It varies according to whether the management is public or private.
Half the cost for business
According to the latest figures from Eurostat, waste management in France costs more than 20 billion euros per year. Expenditure has doubled in 20 years due in particular to the application of new laws on the sorting of bio-waste and recyclable waste.
Funding is based on the polluter-pays principle. Thus, more than half of the costs fall to the companies. The rest is borne by households and public administrations. For communities, the cost will not be the same depending on whether the service provider is public or private.
Entrust the regions with the management of household waste?
The regional chamber of accounts highlighted a report from the City of Paris showing that a ton of waste costs 124 euros when it is removed by a private company. The price varies from 144 to 344 euros depending on the type of waste when it comes to public officials. An additional cost which is explained in particular by repeated absences from sick leave in certain communities, but also by different salary scales in the public service.
For greater efficiency, the Court of Auditors recommends entrusting the regions with the management of daily household waste, which represents 12% of all waste produced in France, but more than 60% of expenditure.