Étranger Things: Biodéchets in France — where your food scraps actually go (so the voisin doesn’t sigh)

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Je composte pour nourrir mon jardin - Gestion des déchets Aix-Marseille ...

Étranger Things: Biodéchets in France — where your food scraps actually go (so the voisin doesn’t sigh)

Search description (≤150 chars): Food scraps in France? Use bio-waste “bornes” or shared compost—not the yellow metal/packaging bin. What to put where in Aix, step-by-step. Biodéchets.

Primary keyword: biodéchets
Related phrases: tri des déchets, compost Aix-en-Provence, bornes de déchets alimentaires

Who this is for & what you’ll get

New to France (or just new to peelings-with-a-plan)? Here’s the clear, friendly guide to dumping apple cores without getting side-eyed. We’ll cover what counts as bio-waste, exactly where to take it in Aix, what’s OK in shared compost boxes, what not to do with the “metal” (yellow) bin, plus prices, bags, and accessibility tips. (Territorial Ministry)

TL;DR

  • No, food scraps do not go in the yellow “metal/plastics/paper” bin (that’s for packaging only). Use brown street bornes for food waste or a composteur partagé (shared compost box) if your building/park has one. (CITEO)

  • In Aix, 107 public bio-waste drop-off bornes are being installed (69 in June, 107 by September). Grab a free bio-seau (kitchen caddy) from your mairie annexe. (Aix-Marseille Waste Management)

What counts as biodéchets?

Food scraps like fruit & veg peels, stale bread, coffee grounds & filters, tea (paper sachets), leftovers, wilted flowers. These must be sorted separately across France (authorities must provide a solution). (Territorial Ministry)

Where do I put them in Aix-en-Provence?

Option A — Brown bornes (street kiosks)

  • Tip your scraps in bulk or in a kraft paper bag (no plastic, even “compostable” ones).

  • Bornes are being rolled out citywide; pick up a free bio-seau at district town halls during distributions by eco-ambassadors.

  • Find locations via the Métropole’s “Adoptez le R3flexe” app. (Aix-Marseille Waste Management)

Option B — Composteurs partagés (shared compost boxes)

  • Many residence courtyards, parks, or community gardens host these. Follow the posted rules; most accept veg/fruit, coffee grounds, paper towels, etc. Meat/dairy rules vary by site—see the sign. (Aix-Marseille Waste Management)

“Can I put food in the metal bin?”

Short answer: Nope. The yellow bin takes all packaging (plastics, metal, cartons, papers)—not food. Even a tomato-saucy can? Rinse optional; empty is fine. Food itself goes to the brown borne or compost. (CITEO)

How to use the brown borne (Aix & Métropole)

  1. Collect scraps in your bio-seau.

  2. Walk to the nearest borne.

  3. Pour loose or in kraft paper (no plastic liners).

  4. Close the lid; go feel smugly ecological.
    (Compost is made at regional facilities and used by local agriculture—not for household pickup.) (Aix-Marseille Waste Management)

Cost: Individual composters or worm bins from the Métropole cost ~10 €; shared compost is free; bio-seaux are free during distribution days. (Aix-Marseille Waste Management)

OK vs. NOT OK (quick guide)

OK at brown bornes (industrial compost): most food scraps, incl. small amounts of meat/fish & cheese; coffee grounds & paper filters; tea (paper); kraft bags. No plastic bags. (Aix-Marseille Waste Management)
Typical shared-compost rules (building/park): veg/fruit, grounds, eggshells, paper towels; often NO meat/fish/dairy unless your site explicitly allows it. Check the sign. (Ordeec)

Accessibility & practical tips

Why this changed

France expanded bio-waste sorting in 2024. Cities (like Aix-Marseille-Provence Métropole) must offer solutions such as street bornes, home/collective composters, and worm bins. (Service Public)

FAQ — “People Also Ask”

Do I need special “compostable” plastic liners?
No. Loose or kraft paper only at bornes; plastic (even “compostable”) lowers compost quality. (Aix-Marseille Waste Management)

Can I bring cooked food, meat, fish, or cheese?
At bornes (industrial compost), small amounts are OK; shared compost often bans them—follow your site’s sign. (Aix-Marseille Waste Management)

Where do citrus peels go?
Bornes: fine. Shared compost: usually fine in moderation—mix with browns. Check local rules. (agirpourlatransition.ademe.fr)

Can I take the compost home?
Not from the Métropole’s bornes; it goes to farms. Some shared sites do local “returns,” ask your référent. (Aix-Marseille Waste Management)

Is there really a borne near me in Aix?
Yes—107 are planned citywide (phased). Grab a free bio-seau at mairies annexes during distribution days. (Aix-Marseille Waste Management)

Handy links (official info)

  • Aix-Marseille-Provence: Bornes mode d’emploi, bio-seau, map & app. (Aix-Marseille Waste Management)

  • Ville d’Aix: Bio-seaux distribution & local rollout. (Mairie d'Aix-en-Provence)

  • National context: French government & Service-Public on bio-waste sorting. (info.gouv.fr)

  • Packaging bin rules (yellow): CITEO (what goes there—and what doesn’t). (CITEO)

Internal links (for our community!)

Related reads on the blog:

A1–C1 mini practice (say it out loud!)

  • A1: Je trie mes biodéchets dans le bio-seau. (I sort my food scraps in the kitchen caddy.)

  • A2: La borne la plus proche est rue… J’y vais avec un sac kraft.

  • B1: Dans notre composteur partagé, la viande n’est pas admise—vous pouvez vérifier l’affiche ?

  • B2: Le tri à la source des biodéchets réduit l’incinération et favorise l’économie circulaire.

  • C1: Selon la Métropole, la qualité du compost dépend de l’absence de plastique, même « compostable ».

Your turn 👋

How does your building or quartier handle bio-waste? Do you have a shared compost box (and what are its house rules)? Drop tips, map pins, and A1–C1 practice sentences in the comments—bonus points for photos of your fanciest bio-seau. Let’s make “peelings with a purpose” an Aix thing. ✨