‘Just pathetic’: France’s ‘make do and mend’ green strategy proves divisive

Policy, which includes refunds for repairing old clothes, puts too much responsibility on consumers, say critics

France is saving the planet one shirt, one plastic fork and one washing machine at a time. With refunds to be offered on repairs to clothing and household appliances, limits on single-use plastics in fast food and other restaurants and punitive parking fees for SUV owners, the recent green focus has targeted the consumer.

It is the latest phase in the government’s environment roadmap, pledged by Emmanuel Macron in his presidential re-election campaign last year and announced by the prime minister, Élisabeth Borne, in May.