According to a report published by the Institute of Environmental Protection – National Research Institute, the level of packaging waste recycling was 60.4% in 2022. More than half of the recycled packaging waste (56%) was paper and cardboard waste. The highest recycling levels were also recorded for this fraction, amounting to 89.1% or 83.9%, depending on the methodology used.
Only and as much as 60.4% of packaging waste recycling
According to the calculations of IOŚ-PIB experts, in 2022, products packaged in 6,740 thousand tons of packaging were introduced to the market. Data from 532 installations were taken into account, which in 2022 received a total of 4,023.8 thousand tons of waste. Over 10% of this mass were so-called non-target materials (materials that are not processed in a given recycling process into products, materials or substances that are not waste). After correction, the total the mass of packaging waste recycled amounted to 3,608.9 thousand tons , including:
- 2,022.5 thousand tonnes of paper and cardboard packaging waste.
- 565.1 thousand tons of plastic packaging waste,
- 635 thousand tons of glass packaging waste,
- 268.9 thousand tons of wood packaging waste,
- 117.4 thousand tons of metal packaging waste.
According to the methodology adopted by the authors of the report, the recycling level of all packaging waste was 60.4%, which is 1.4% more than the minimum provided for in the Regulation of the Minister of Climate and Environment of December 19, 2021 on the annual recycling levels of packaging waste in individual years until 2030.
Recycling levels: achieved according to those introducing them, not achieved according to IOŚ-PIB
The recycling levels of all packaging waste were calculated in 2 variants. The first one was based on data from the introducers (entities that have entrusted statutory obligations to organizations) and independent (entities responsible on their own). These data show that the recycling levels of individual packaging waste for 2022 were as follows:
- metals – 93.9%,
- wood – 20.9%,
- plastics – 40.7%,
- glass – 65.3%,
- paper and cardboard – 89.1%.
Under this variant, the minimum annual recycling rates for packaging waste have been achieved for all types of packaging from which this waste originates.
The second variant of calculations presented in the report was based on the IOŚ-PIB methodology. The calculated recycling levels of almost all packaging waste (except plastics) are at a lower level:
- metals – 36.6%,
- wood – 16.7%,
- plastics – 45.8%,
- glass – 45%,
- paper and cardboard – 83.9%.
According to calculations based on the IOŚ-PIB methodology, in 2022 the entities introducing the waste did not achieve the minimum recycling levels for packaging waste made of ferrous metals and aluminium (amounting to 55% and 51%, respectively) and from wood (amounting to %).
Regardless of the variant , the lowest recycling rate was recorded for wood waste .
BDO register as a source of data for the IOŚ-PIB report
The source of the data presented in the report is the BDO register. The calculations do not include so-called free riders, i.e. producers or distributors who introduce plastic packaging or products in packaging into circulation and do not report them to the producer’s responsibility organization or a public authority, or do not take financial or financial and organizational responsibility in any other way for the management of plastic packaging waste, or report smaller quantities than they actually introduce into circulation.
The analysis prepared by IOŚ-PIB takes into account waste with the following codes:
- 15 01 01 – paper and cardboard packaging,
- 15 01 02 – plastic packaging,
- 15 01 03 – wooden packaging,
- 15 01 04 – metal packaging,
- 15 01 05 – multi-material packaging,
- 15 01 06 – mixed packaging waste,
- 15 01 07 – glass packaging.
The actual amount of packaging waste generated in Poland and recycled was calculated as follows – by adding the mass of waste recycled in Poland and recycled abroad, and reducing the result by the mass of waste imported to Poland for recycling.
Source: [1]
