Athina Argyriou, Leading President of the International Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers (CSIAM), discusses how France is at the forefront of a significant transformation in the auto recycling industry. Driven by ambitious environmental goals, evolving EU regulations, and rising pressure on manufacturers to embrace circular economy principles, the country is leveraging its long-standing expertise in industrial recycling. With structured infrastructure, advanced dismantling processes, and growing attention to vehicles’ environmental performance, especially through metrics like EcoScore, France is redefining sustainable vehicle end-of-life management and setting an example for the rest of Europe.
Officially launched in 2024, “Recycler Mon Véhicule” (RMV) represents a groundbreaking advancement as Europe’s first eco-organization dedicated specifically to managing ELVs. Operating under France’s extended producer responsibility (EPR) framework, RMV coordinates comprehensive collection, dismantling, and recycling processes, significantly streamlining the lifecycle management of vehicles.
RMV simplifies recycling by providing nationwide free vehicle pickup via its dedicated digital platform, “quefairedemonvhu.org.” Vehicle owners benefit from clear guidance, environmentally compliant disposal, and an official certificate of destruction. By facilitating nearly 850,000 annual vehicle disposals through authorized recycling networks, RMV significantly reduces illegal dismantling and environmental harm.
France’s transformation is underpinned by robust regulations, particularly the Anti-Waste for a Circular Economy Law (AGEC), mandating increased recycling and reuse standards. France has successfully achieved an impressive reuse and recycling rate of 86.9% and a reuse and recovery rate of 94.2%, exceeding EU targets and demonstrating its strong commitment to sustainability.
Recycling now significantly influences vehicle EcoScores, a key environmental metric shaping consumer incentives and manufacturer reputation. The proportion of recycled and recyclable materials, alongside efficient end-of-life processing, directly impacts sustainability ratings, prompting automakers to integrate circular economy practices into their design and production processes.
The establishment of RMV has fostered extensive collaboration across the automotive industry, bringing together automakers, recyclers, and dismantlers. This collaborative environment is crucial for achieving France’s ambitious recycling targets. Manufacturers now closely collaborate with RMV-accredited dismantlers, ensuring enhanced regulatory compliance and environmental efficiency.
Automakers such as Renault and Stellantis have further enhanced their circular economy efforts, supporting RMV’s initiatives by investing in advanced recycling technologies and eco-design strategies. For instance, Renault’s partnership with Suez includes a €140 million investment aimed at doubling its recycling subsidiary’s revenue by 2030.
Despite the overall industrialization, smaller recycling operators face significant challenges, including compliance costs, infrastructure investment, and adaptation to evolving regulations. RMV actively supports these operators by providing training, sharing best practices, and facilitating compliance, ensuring the sustainability and diversity of the recycling network.
The creation of Recycler Mon Véhicule firmly establishes France as a leader in automotive recycling, offering a replicable model for the rest of Europe. As sustainability regulations become more stringent continent-wide, France’s structured and collaborative approach to ELV management could become the standard for integrating end-of-life recycling into comprehensive vehicle eco-performance evaluations, such as EcoScore and lifecycle carbon assessments. By pioneering Europe’s first dedicated eco-organization for ELVs, France continues to lead in sustainable automotive practices, influencing broader industry transformation across the continent.
Images courtesy of Groupe Surplus Recyclage
