Fewer unsold items, less waste, better production or reproduction, these are the objectives of the Anti-Waste and Circular Economy law, known as the AGEC law. Almost two years after its adoption, several dozen measures came into force on January the 1st, 2022, reshuffling the logistics cards.

In fact, the entire French industry is concerned and the furniture sector is no exception.

Among the 130 articles included in the law, some require furniture brands to offer a take-back solution to their customers (“1 for 1” or “1 for 0”) as well as managing unsold stock so that it does not have to be destroyed.

“79 % of consumers consider brands' commitment to sustainable development as a determining factor in their purchasing decision” (Capgemini, July 2020)

This legal obligation pushes manufacturers and distributors to adopt new practices to respond to customers who are increasingly attentive to environmental issues and competition that is sometimes well underway on the subject.

Strengthen your logistics to reduce your impact

Optimizing collection circuits, recycling and recovering old or used items to give furniture a second life, that is TRUSK’s mission – key player in last mile delivery, specializing in the transport of large packages in France (>30kg).

Committed to a zero emissions strategy for two years, TRUSK helps its partner brands to reconcile environmental and economic interests.

Exit the throwaway

Since January 2020, the transport agent has broken with the linear economy and offered “partner” brands the possibility of collecting their customers' used furniture the same day. All parties thus participate in the development of a social and solidarity economy.

 “Until now, the customer experience was limited exclusively to the delivery of the product. Since then, the brand and the carrier have also been judged on this recovery service”

(Thomas Effantin, Co-founder of TRUSK).

The green revolution is launched

“We see many players making the customer journey more complex with inflexible recovery dates. This position seriously degrades the customer experience” says Antoine Vercken (Commercial Director of TRUSK).

The good solution ? Optimize the logistics of the end customer and that of the carrier, to generate more profits (satisfaction and costs).

By ensuring recovery at the same time as delivery (vs separate delivery and collection), the distributor saves up to 50%!

Let's not forget that for thousands of retailers and e-merchants, these government measures have a significant economic impact. In fact, each product delivered represents a potential additional cost of 10 to 20€ excluding tax when the customer wishes to have their old furniture returned.

These costs are added to last mile delivery which already weighs heavily on companies' income statements.

Transform a constraint into an opportunity

One month after the law was implemented, demand began to increase for this type of service , which retailers must provide free of charge to their end customers.

However, TRUSK notes a significant disparity between retailers and the types of products to be recycled: the take-back rate for old sofas does not exceed 5%, whereas for some bedding companies the demand is as high as 20%.

Finally, let's keep in mind that the primary aim of this legal obligation is to limit waste and promote the circular economy: companies must simply learn to promote it.

TRUSK is also being helped by the start-up SmartBack to hand over second-hand products to associations.

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