This article is a summary of episode 14 of the podcast The Builders. Exchange between Richard Mitha and Herve de Maistre, the president of VALOBAT. In the Les Bâtisseurs podcast, Richard Mitha, serial-entrepreneur, CEO of Synaxe, interviews industry visionaries to inspire in your own environmental, digital, and managerial transformation.
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in the construction industry
This episode is about the extended producer responsibility (EPR) in the construction industry. EPR is a legal principle that imposes on manufacturers the responsibility for the treatment of waste from their end-of-life products. Valobat, as an eco-organization, manages the EPR sector for building construction products and materials (PMCB), by setting up a local collection network and by offering free recovery of waste sorted at the source. Their economic model is based on ecocontributions paid by the manufacturers.
The establishment of the PMCB REP aims to improve the performance of the construction industry in terms ofcircular economy. This encourages the development of more efficient collection and recycling channels, as well as selective deconstruction to valorize demolition materials. However, this transition represents a challenge for small businesses in the sector, which must adapt to new waste sorting and collection requirements.
The REP PMCB contributes to the fight against wild dumps and to reduce the environmental impact of the construction industry by preserving natural resources and reducing emissions of CO2 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, by supporting reuse and by financing projects related to the circular economy.
Valobat's economic model and actions
Valobat distinguishes itself from other eco-organizations by taking care of both inert materials and not inert in the PMCB sector. They emphasize the responsibility of building actors and their commitment to the circular economy. The eco-contribution rates are determined according to waste management costs and the tonnages of products placed on the market. Valobat acts independently and fairly towards all actors in the sector, ensuring that the materials collected are optimally valued.
Hervé places his trust in actors in the sector 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 to reuse recycled materials in their manufacturing process. Valobat works closely with public authorities and other actors in the sector to promote the use of recycled materials and promote the circular economy in the construction sector.
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