The volume of household and industrial waste is constantly rising in all the industrialised countries. Each year France produces over 24 million tonnes of household waste. The total amount has more than doubled in 30 years and now averages 416 kilograms per person every year.
Large conurbations produce proportionally much more than rural communities.
An average of 30,000 tonnes a day of household waste is burned in almost 300 incinerators throughout France. In the largest incineration plants, the energy potential is recovered through combined cycle generation, which simultaneously produces heat and power. The aim is to produce fewer waste products to begin with and to use or recycle those that are produced. Sorting rubbish at home is becoming a priority. Many French communes have introduced special rubbish bins or large containers to separate paper and glass, and in some cases aluminium, metal, plastic and used motor oil, from other waste products.