Info-tri is the French sorting instruction system that tells consumers where each component of a product or packaging should be disposed of at end-of-life. It is the companion regulation to the Triman logo: Triman signals "this is in scope of French recycling rules"; Info-tri specifies "this specific component goes here."
This article walks through how Info-tri actually works for non-EU brands designing packaging for the French market.
What Info-tri is
Info-tri (the Info-tri obligation) is a packaging label requirement defined under AGEC implementing decrees, in effect since 2022. It mandates that each component of consumer packaging carry a sorting instruction telling French consumers how to dispose of that component:
- Recycle in household yellow bin ("bac jaune").
- Recycle in glass bin ("bac à verre").
- Return to store collection ("à déposer en magasin" — for batteries, lightbulbs, small electronics).
- General waste ("à jeter avec les ordures" — for non-recyclable).
The instruction is typically displayed as a small block of text and icons grouped together on a visible packaging surface.
How an Info-tri block looks
A typical compliant Info-tri block for a beauty product packaging:
- Boîte carton: À recycler — Bac jaune
- Bouchon plastique: À recycler — Bac jaune
- Flacon verre: À recycler — Bac à verre
Each material component listed, each with its disposal instruction. The block sits below or beside the Triman logo on a visible packaging surface.
The exact formatting can vary in design but the content elements are non-negotiable: each component, its material, and its disposal instruction.
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Where to place Info-tri
The labelling must be visible to the consumer without disassembling the packaging:
- Outer box: yes.
- Side panel: yes.
- Back of bottle / under cap: visible from the consumer view, yes.
- Inside the box / hidden surface: no.
- On removable sticker: yes if the sticker is durable.
For e-commerce shipments, the Info-tri can be on the outer shipping box (covering the shipping box itself) and inside on the product packaging (covering the product packaging). Each layer of packaging gets its own Info-tri.
How to generate the right Info-tri text
Three sources for the correct sorting instructions:
- Your eco-organism (Citeo, Léko, Adelphe) provides per-material Info-tri specifications based on your declared composition.
- Your authorized representative generates the per-SKU labelling block from your declared composition.
- ADEME’s public guides — official material classifications and sorting instructions.
For a non-EU producer, the typical workflow is: declare your packaging composition, receive the Info-tri block from your representative, integrate into next print run.
Common design challenges for non-EU brands
Limited packaging real estate. Small consumer goods (a small jar, a thin pouch) have limited surface for labels. The minimum size for Triman + Info-tri is small but real (typically 4-6mm). Plan label space at design time.
Multi-language packaging. International SKUs that include EN/DE/IT/ES/FR text on the same packaging can struggle to fit Info-tri in addition. Two options: include Info-tri on all language SKUs (cleanest) or run a French-specific SKU variant.
Bottle/jar with cap. A cap + bottle is two components — Info-tri lists both, even if visually small.
Multi-material laminates. A pouch made of plastic + aluminum laminate is typically one component for Info-tri (non-separable), with the most-restrictive disposal instruction (general waste).
Eco-modulation interaction
Correctly displayed Info-tri earns a small bonus on the Citeo eco-contribution. Missing or incorrect Info-tri triggers a malus. The eco-contribution swing for a typical mid-size producer is in the €100-€500 range per year. Small but real, and the labelling cost is essentially free once the print artwork is updated.
See /blog/eco-modulation-france-bonus-eco-contributions for the broader bonus-malus framework.
FAQ
Do I need separate Info-tri for each component of my packaging?
Yes. The Info-tri block lists each material component separately (the cardboard box, the plastic film, the paper insert, the aluminum cap, etc.) with the correct disposal instruction per material. A multi-component package can have 3-5 lines in its Info-tri block.
Can I put Info-tri on a hidden surface like inside the box?
No. Info-tri must be on a surface visible to the consumer without disassembling the packaging. The outer surface, a side panel, or back-of-box placement work. Inside-the-box placement does not satisfy the regulatory requirement.
What disposal instructions does Info-tri use?
The standard disposal instructions are: "À recycler" (recycle, with the appropriate household bin), "À déposer en magasin" (return to store for collection — used for batteries, lightbulbs, etc.), "À jeter avec les ordures" (dispose with general waste — for non-recyclable items). The exact phrasing per material is defined by ADEME and updated periodically.
We provide Info-tri specs for your SKUs
As part of the standard mandate, we generate Triman + Info-tri labelling blocks per SKU based on your declared composition. Included in €249/month per stream — /pricing. Send your packaging materials to /contact and we will return the label artwork-ready in 24 hours.
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