Recycling and Getting rid of Household Waste in France and the French Riviera

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Recycling and Getting rid of Household Waste in France and the French Riviera

Management of household waste and recycling in the Alpes-Maritimes is under the responsibility of the local Communautés des Communes, Communautés des Agglomérations or the Town Hall Municipal Services (Services Municipaux). 

• To find a local Communauté des Communes or Communauté des Agglomérations: Click here and select a department from the map

The Communauté Nice Côte d'Azur covers the area from Cap d'Ail to Cagnes-sur-Mer and north of Nice up to Duranus. The website has comprehensive information on where to dispose of household waste, toxic products, electronic equipment and garden waste.

• Website (in French)
• Hotline to answer any questions concerning the disposal of rubbish and recycling - Tel: 0800 500 040

From Beausoleil to the Italian border and up to Sospel, household waste is managed by the Communauté de la Riviera Française.  

• Tel: 04 92 41 80 30
  Website

The areas of Villeneuve-Loubet, Valbonne, Sophia Antipolis, Antibes, St-Paul de Vence and the surrounding towns and villages are managed by the Communauté d'Agglomération Sophia-Antipolis. 

• Tel: 04 93 00 28 00
  Website (in French)

For the areas of Cannes, Grasse, Mouans Sartoux and the surrounding villages, household waste is managed by SIVADES, the Syndicat Intercommunal pour la Valorisation des Déchets.

• Tel: 0800 506 586
  Website

Electronic Equipment

Since the 16 November, any shop selling electronic equipment such as computers, dishwashers, televisions and hairdryers has the obligation to take back the old product from a customer who no longer wants it, if the customer is buying a replacement.

These goods may also be taken to a waste collection centre or tip (déchetterie). For information on opening hours and contact details for the nearest déchetterie, contact the local Town Hall.

• To find a déchetterie in the Nice area: Click here

• For Beausoleil, Menton and the surrounding areas: Click here and select a commune from the scroll down menu

• To find a déchetterie in the Cannes-Grasse area: Click here

Note: A déchetterie may be used for free by the local residents of the agglomération (group of communes). On the first visit take proof or address (recent utility bill), proof of identity and the vehicle's registration documents (carte grise).

Household Waste

Most French towns have containers for recycling paper, glass, plastic and cardboard packaging. The containers for plastic and packaging on the French Riviera are colour-coded as follows:

• Yellow lid: plastic, tin and packaging 
  • For a list of objects that can be recycled in the yellow containers: Click here (in French)
• Blue lid: paper, magazines 
• Green: glass
  Note: mirrors, windows and light bulbs may not be recycled in the green containers; larger of these items must be taken to the local déchetterie

Many towns provide a collect service for the collection of bulky waste (encombrants) in each area (commune). However, in smaller towns or villages, residents will have to take their waste themselves to the local déchetterie.

• To find which day the Communauté Nice Cote d'Azur collect service operates in each commune: Click here
• For the commune of Nice, the collect service is by appointment only - Tel: 0800 772 012
• For the areas between Menton, Beausoleil and Sospel: Click here and select a commune from the scroll down menu to find which day the service operates
• In Antibes, the collect service is by appointment only - Tel: 04 92 19 75 00
• In Cannes, contact the Town Hall - Tel: 08 10 02 10 22

Dangerous or Toxic Products

Some items are dangerous to the environment and must be disposed of differently: 

• Batteries should be taken to a collection point (certain shops and Town Halls) or to a déchetterie
• Paints, toxic produce and waste oil from vehicles all need to be taken to the déchetterie
• Tyres may not be disposed of at a waste collection site. They must be taken to a garage which is required by law to take them back free of charge.
• For further information: Click here

Garden Waste

Garden waste such as leaves, branch and hedge cuttings and grass cuttings must be taken to the local déchetterie.

In some communes there is a collection service for garden waste (déchets végétaux). 

• Tel: 0800 207 779

Clothes

Old clothes may be taken to the local déchetterie or alternatively, if they are in good condition they can be taken to one of the following charity organisations: Emmaüs, Croix-Rouge Française (French Red Cross) or the Secours Populaire.

Further Information

• Comprehensive list of how to dispose of each item: Click here (in French)
• Communauté Nice Côte d'Azur
• Information on recycling for the region Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur: Click here (in French)