France to Propose New Law Banning Plastic Cutlery and Plates in School Cafeterias

The government moves to address legal ambiguities and reinforce its commitment to reducing plastic use in educational institutions.

The French government will introduce a new law explicitly banning plastic cutlery and plates in school cafeterias to resolve uncertainties in existing legislation.
This decision follows criticism and legal challenges related to the scope of the 2018 Egalim law, which did not explicitly include cutlery and plates in its plastic ban.
A prior decree attempted to extend the ban but was deemed legally problematic as decrees cannot exceed the authority of the law.
The new law will align with stricter provisions of the previous decree, ensuring comprehensive coverage of all plastic items in school cafeterias.
Deputies Véronique Riotton and Graziella Melchior from Ensemble pour la République will propose the legislation, aiming for swift implementation.