Nestlé to face new trial over illegal dumping in Vosges

The Nancy Court of Appeal has ordered a new trial for Nestlé regarding allegations of illegal waste dumping near its bottled water plants in the Vosges region, specifically near Vittel and Contrexéville. This ruling overturns a March decision by a lower court that had excluded key evidence incriminated the company.

The reinstated evidence includes expert reports and analyses showing “incommensurable” levels of microplastics in the soil and water near four illegal dump sites. Civil parties and prosecutors allege that the plastic waste sites, which are equivalent to the size of “seven football fields” with waste depths of 10 meters, were managed by the company near its bottling facilities.

A new trial must be held before a reconstituted criminal court in Nancy to rule on the merits of the case. The court will also determine whether additional expert assessments requested by the prosecution and civil parties will be conducted. No date has yet been set for the proceedings.