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Are plastic bags illegal in France?

Yes. Plastic bags are banned in France. Single-use plastic checkout bags banned since 1 Jul 2016.

Energy Transition Law of 17 Aug 2015: single-use plastic checkout bags banned from 1 Jul 2016 (other single-use bags from 1 Jan 2017, unless home-compostable and bio-based); schedule in Code de l'environnement L541-15-10 (economie.gouv.fr, 17 Dec 2025).

Source: Code env. L541-15-10

• France is one of 59 countries where plastic bags are banned, and 26 more restrict them.
• Its neighbours: banned in 3 of 8 (Germany, Italy and Spain).
• In Europe: banned in 10 of 39 countries.

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Other countries that ban plastic bags

Solomon IslandsVanuatuMarshall IslandsFijiSt. Kitts & NevisAntigua & BarbudaBarbadosBelizeJamaicaEritreaMauritaniaCameroonCongo - BrazzavilleMadagascarAll 59 on the map ›

What else is banned in France