EPR, eco-organizations and the crucial role of Valobat
This article is a summary of episode 14 of the podcast Les Bâtisseurs. Exchange between Richad Mitha and Herve de Maistre, President of VALOBAT. In the podcast Les Bâtisseurs, Richad Mitha, serial-entrepreneur and CEO of Synaxe, interviews industry visionaries to inspire your own environmental, digital and managerial transformation.
This episode focuses on extended producer responsibility (EPR) in the construction industry. EPR is a legal principle that makes manufacturers responsible for treating the waste from their end-of-life products. As an eco-organization, Valobat manages the EPR sector for building products and materials (PMCB), setting up a local collection network and offering free take-back of source-separated waste. Their business model is based on eco-taxes paid by manufacturers.
The introduction of the PMCB EPR aims to improve the construction industry's performance in terms of the circular economy. This encourages the development of more efficient collection and recycling channels, as well as selective deconstruction to recover demolition materials. However, this transition represents a challenge for small businesses in the sector, who have to adapt to new waste sorting and collection requirements.
The PMCB EPR helps to combat uncontrolled landfill and reduce the environmental impact of the construction industry by preserving natural resources and reducing CO2 emissions linked to the extraction and production of new materials. Valobat plays a key role in the implementation of the PMCB EPR by encouraging the use of recycled materials, supporting reuse and financing projects linked to the circular economy.
Valobat distinguishes itself from other ecoorganizations by taking charge of both inert and non-inert materials in the PMCB sector. They emphasize the responsibility of building industry players and their commitment to the circular economy. Eco-contribution rates are determined on the basis of waste management costs and tonnages of products placed on the market. Valobat acts independently and fairly towards all players in the sector, ensuring that the materials collected are optimally recycled.
Hervé trusts industry players to adopt responsible practices and actively participate in the transition to a circular economy. It encourages manufacturers, distributors and construction sites to sort waste more efficiently and reuse recycled materials in their manufacturing processes. Valobat works closely with public authorities and other industry players to promote the use of recycled materials and foster the circular economy in the construction sector.
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