Focus on sustainable design: the new EU packaging regulation sets high requirements for packaging recycling. Interzero explains how they can actually be sorted and recycled using its research-based 'Made for Recycling' packaging analysis.

20 out of a possible 20 points: with this result, Gualapack's 'Pouch 5' is a true recycling champion. The leading supplier of squeeze pouches has already had its packaging evaluated several times according to the Made for Recycling" analysis standard, thus obtaining important information on sustainable design: "With Pouch 5, we have developed the first stand-up pouch with a spout made of a single material - polypropylene - that is highly recyclable." - says Lorenzo Sacchi, head of sustainability at Italian company Gualapack S.p.A.. "Interzero's expertise has been, and continues to be, essential to us when testing recyclability."

Sustainable packaging has long since ceased to be merely an image factor. According to the European Commission, recyclability will soon be the deciding factor for packaging in the market. PPWR keyword: The new EU packaging regulation states that all packaging must be recyclable from 2030. "With Made for Recycling, we support our customers in determining the actual recyclability of their packaging, optimizing it when necessary and developing new, future-proof solutions." - says Frank Kurrat, Managing Director of the Interzero Recycling Alliance. "In this way, companies can also differentiate their packaging from their competitors in the long term."

An important argument in favour of Gualapack: unlike many other environmental claims, the 'Made for Recycling' label is based on clearly defined, scientific facts. The international standard for the recyclability of packaging is based on an assessment methodology developed by Interzero in cooperation with the bifa Umweltinstitut and confirmed by the Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV. Packaging is analysed at the Interzero Plastics Innovation competence centre in Slovenia - the first and so far only accredited research facility in the EU specialising in the development and analysis of recycled plastics. Specialists not only analyse the materials and design of packaging, but also assess the practical sorting and recycling infrastructure, which can vary considerably from country to country.

For Gualapack, the commitment to recycling has undoubtedly paid off. In 2021, the single-ply PP bag won the Best Packaging Award in Italy and is now used by major brands such as Nestlé and Kraft Heinz. "Pouch 5 is now our flagship product and accounts for about a third of our flexible packaging sales." - says Lorenzo Sacchi. In terms of quality, the single-plastic packaging is not inferior to the standard versions. They can be sterilised and pasteurised, making them suitable for yoghurt or baby food packaging, for example, and the outer layer can be easily printed with a branding. A distinct advantage of the single-plastic version is that, from production to recycling, it emits around 40 per cent fewer greenhouse gases than a standard bag - an added incentive for companies looking to reduce their carbon footprint.

After the digital revolution in waste management, the time has come for a mobile revolution - from now on, you can have the most important functions of our bestselling Interzero Waste Platform on your smartphone! The new Interzero OneApp Polska mobile app will allow you to conveniently order waste collections, check the calendar of scheduled services and monitor the entire waste logistics of your company.

Are you walking around the yard and see a full container? Do you have unusual waste and want to price it based on a photo? Or do you need to quickly check the dates of your ordered waste transports? Reach into your pocket - the solution to all these problems is in your smartphone!

Interzero OneApp Poland is first mobile application to comprehensively manage waste collection from anywhere and without having to boot up your computer. We have included all the most frequently used functions of our innovative digital tool, the Interzero Waste Platform, which is used by hundreds of satisfied customers every day.

From the Interzero OneApp Poland:

• order waste collection of his company,
• view the schedule logistics services,
• check the list of completed collections and details of each service,
• you will inform us of excess quantities of waste to be collected by the next shipment,
• conveniently report a lack of reception
• you send us a text message and attach to it photos or files.

The Interzero One App mobile app is synchronised with the web version of the Interzero Waste Platform. This ensures that all information on collection services is kept up to date and made available to all accounts assigned to your company. So you are free to use the service in your browser or in the app - your comfort is our priority!

Just as Uber revolutionised passenger transport, the Interzero OneApp Poland will revolutionise your company's waste management. Our app is a mobile waste management centre that you can always carry with you!

Thanks to Interzero OneApp Poland Have your waste collected in just a few seconds! You don't have to call, email or endlessly agree on details -. All you need to do is select the type of service and enter the weight of your waste. We will take care of the rest! This ordering scheme was already present in the Interzero Waste Platform. We have now transferred it to the mobile version so that you can notify us of your collection needs even more quickly and conveniently.

The Interzero OneApp Polska smartphone app allows you to order collection services on request and additional services. From the main menu, you can also inform us about additional waste to be collected, check the list of services in progress and report a missed collection.

The Interzero OneApp Polska mobile app is a functional and highly practical addition to the Interzero Waste Platform (POI) - our pioneering digital tool for comprehensive waste management within a company. This unique the system enables all waste management tasks to be carried out in one centralised location!

Using the web-based version of the Interzero Waste Platform you will perform the same tasks available in the app and much more:

• you automate the keeping of waste records in BDO,
• prepare, revise and approve Waste Transfer Notes,
• generate quantitative, qualitative and cost reports,
• you will track the costs of all waste management and the proceeds from the sale of raw materials,
• collect all environmental documentation in a digital repository,
• create a digital database of partners and subcontractors,
• you give your employees access levels that correspond to their tasks.

Interzero waste platform is fully integrated into the BDO system - saves all data in real time and immediately updates it in the Database. Logging into a government system thus becomes unnecessary - from now on you will manage your waste from anywhere and with the help of just one intuitive tool!

What happened at Interzero in April? Read a summary of our speeches, industry activities and education!

The latest ROP (extended producer responsibility) proposal by the Ministry of Climate and Environment, the introduction of a deposit system and changes in EU legislation have all influenced intensive activities in the waste management sector. For this reason Interzero experts actively engage with the media to make our position known on the proposed changes and systems. It is also an opportunity to participate in debates and discussions with representatives of various industries and government administrations. We encourage you to find out more about the activities undertaken by Interzero in April.

Heated discussion continues in relation to the Ministry of Climate and Environment's proposal for a new ROP system for packaging. The position presented brings the Extended Producers' Liability to para-taxThis is why the IOC proposal is criticised by business. Interzero, as an experienced player in the market, takes an active part in the discussion. The temperature of the public debate indicates differentiated positions of different stakeholders towards the new draft ROP. Further consultations are needed to develop optimal solutions. Interzero cooperates with chambers of commerce and business associations, prepares letters addressed to the Ministry and is active at meetings, debates or conferences.

Pawel Sosnowski, Plenipotentiary of the Management Board for Environmental Regulation at Interzero, during a debate on ROP organised by the editors of the Rzeczpospolita daily newspaper, stressed that the assumptions of the Polish model for these regulations are at odds with the intention clearly implied in EU law.

- European regulations on waste management systems, both the Waste Directive and the PPWR, clearly indicate the need for producer responsibility organisations.

Below is the entire debate:

Przemyslaw Kuna, Managing Director at Interzero in the discussion on ROP in the WPROST debate, showed the great openness of the entire industry towards the evolving changes in waste management.

- In the words of Deputy Climate Minister Anita Sowinska, we can hear that her big concern is the recycling documents (DPR). No problem. Let's abolish DPRs, let's do something else. We can replace them with contracts.

He also spoke to Politics about the important role of Recovery Organisations and the proposal for a new model Pawel Lesiak, Executive Vice President at Interzero:

- The new ROP will introduce another important and emotionally charged change. Recovery organisations now have an important role.[...] They are representatives of entrepreneurs placing packaging on the market. Their main task is to achieve the recycling levels required of them by entrepreneurs. Packaging recovery organisations, in cooperation with the waste management industry, ensure that the right types of packaging waste are collected, often pre-processed (sorting, refining) and then finally recycled. Furthermore, they also conduct environmental audits and are involved in environmental education that strengthens public awareness of the correct way to manage waste, starting with household segregation.

(Source: 'Litter responsibly. Policy, 2025)

As early as 1 October, the bail system is to be launched in Poland, which, despite the positive attitude of the public, also raises some concerns and doubts. As the Interzero report shows, most Poles are aware of the upcoming changes, but many still do not understand how the system works.

In a statement to the Newseria portal, Pawel Lesiak pointed out that older generations show more interest in bailing than younger generations, and that the key will be the attitude of consumers and their patience in the initial stages:

- We must not give in to our own frustration, as the system will be implemented gradually at first, and not all bottles will be in the deposit cycle immediately.

He also predicts that the new system could be a convenience for residents, allowing them to dispose of packaging more quickly during their daily shopping. He also reminds us that although the system will formally start in 2025, its full functioning and the widespread availability of collection points will not really take place until 2026. It is therefore advisable to treat the first months as a test phase and give yourself and the system time to adapt.

Read the full article here.

In March our Interzero Waste Platform (POI) won third place in the prestigious competition Masters&Robots, confirming our position as a leader in digital waste management. POI is a unique online system that enables comprehensive waste management and environmental documentation, reducing costs and automating waste records in BDO.

Waste management has never been so simple - Platform customers gain even more comfort and freedom through our new Interzero One mobile app. The app allows quick reporting of waste collections and access to up-to-date schedules - all in one place. Thanks to full synchronisation with the web platform, users have a real-time overview of current and planned services, the ability to report excess waste and access to the collection calendar. In addition, a direct contact function with the custodian and the ability to attach photos and files improve communication and eliminate inaccuracies.

As he emphasises Aleksandra Mikiel, Director of Digital Solutions and Transformation at Interzero:

- Our aim is not only to make waste management easier, but also to create a more sustainable and efficient system that benefits all users. With Interzero OneApp, our customers can now report waste collections even more easily and quickly and benefit from full synchronisation with the web platform. This is a step towards a more integrated and user-friendly system that addresses their waste management needs and challenges.

We encourage you to use our solutions and keep an eye out for more news!

The new year brings further changes to environmental legislation - new obligations extend to all entrepreneurs registered with BDO, in addition to changes to construction and textile waste regulations. In parallel, ministerial work on shaping the law implementing the ROP for packaging waste producers is well advanced. In the face of so many changes, a meeting was held on 10 April Interzero's free webinar 'New developments in environmental and waste regulations for 2025', divided into two thematic blocks, in which Interzero experts - Pawel Sosnowski, Plenipotentiary of the Management Board for Environmental Regulation, and Wojciech Przybycin, Environmental Expert - explained what the changes entailed and answered questions from participants about their own activities.

Both parts of the webinar can be viewed on the platform of the Interzero Academy:

• ROP - what's all the fuss about? Summary of the current status of the work on Extended Producer Responsibility and possible future scenarios
• Changes to construction and textile waste regulations and changes to BDO from 2025 - everything you need to know

We encourage you to follow our calendar of eventsso that you do not miss out on upcoming training courses.

Read about the key educational activities we undertook in April

In less than a month's time the 2025 Environment Conference will be launched - don't miss out on registration!

Why take part?

• We will touch on the most important environmental topics for businesses - including the new ROP, PPWR, the implementation of the deposit system or the new rules for textile segregation.
• Speakers include well-known web developers, experts from leading brands (Allegro, mBank, PwC), organisations (GS1, Lewiatan Confederation, Responsible Business Forum) and Interzero specialists. Full agenda available here.
• You have a unique opportunity to establish valuable business relationships and learn about the latest trends in sustainable business development.

We see you already 3 June at Warszawianka Hotel near Serock - register!

In the first part "Clean Oder, clean Vistula - is it possible?". We went back to the nature activities of the 1980s, talked about climate change, the viability of ecology and, above all, about rivers, of which Dominik is a lover and expert. What should change in our daily functioning and system to make rivers cleaner?

In the second episode "Extended producer and ... consumer liability?" we touched on system solutions that can support environmental protection. The broad view represented by Dominik shows Extended Producer Responsibility or the deposit system as minor elements that contribute to one key objective. On the road to a clean environment, many stakeholders come together. What is their responsibility?

This year we celebrated Earth Day for the 55th time! The history of this holiday is not perfect. We wrote about The Indian Who Cried, a campaign using the image of native North Americans as a symbol of reunion with nature and respect for our planet, last year on the Eco-friendly without the frills - It is worth recalling this story.

We also have positive news - Interzero's education campaigns, Eco-friendly without the frills i EcoPak, are Children's book partner "Eco-game" published by Skrzat. In this publication we meet a group of school friends who, as part of the nature club and their own adventures, solve various ecological puzzles, learn about waste segregation and fight for cleaner air. Highly recommended!

The cover of the book 'Ekozgraja'. photo: Wydawnictwo Skrzat

What happened at Interzero in March? Read a summary of our speeches, industry activities and education!

Below we summarise our industry activities and speeches that took place in March. Our experts are taking an active part in these to work together with businesses and local authorities to develop the best possible waste management models, and to promote our solutions for more optimal waste management.

Paweł Lesiak, Vice President of the Management Board at Interzero, participated in a panel discussion during the European Congress of Local Governments in Mikołajki, where he debated the future of the waste management system in Poland together with experts from various sectors. During the discussion, key issues were raised about the challenges and barriers facing municipalities in maintaining cleanliness and order, the changes needed and the need for cooperation between all stakeholders to create an effective, sustainable system.

- Cooperation between local authorities, recovery organisations and lawyers specialising in waste legislation is key to creating an effective waste management system.

- emphasises Paweł Lesiak, highlighting the diversity of perspectives and the importance of acting together.

On 11 March, the debate 'The technological perspective of the food and packaging industry in the face of the packaging revolution' took place in Łódź, organised by Janusz Olejnik of FoodFakty as part of the Pack4Future Forum. Przemysław Kuna, representing Interzero Poland, focused on the challenges of recyclability in the context of the PPWR regulation and the new ROP. Przemysław highlighted the very controversial assumptions of the environment ministry's project:

- The new ROP, now as proposed and presented, is a threat and I am full of concern.

He stressed that businesses have to take into account the differences in waste management infrastructure across the EU, which poses an additional challenge. He added that business faced not only the costs arising from new regulations, but also the investment needed to return materials to circulation.

In March, we also had the pleasure of exhibiting at the Franchise Fair, held at PGE Narodowe. At our stand, we presented a compact and effective solution for automating bail collection in the form of the Sielaff SiCompact ECO M bottle dispenser, an Oklin composter and a range of services that can help franchisees in the day-to-day running of their businesses in various industries.

Our stand attracted a lot of interest - we had the opportunity to have many inspiring conversations with representatives of franchise networks and people looking for modern, green solutions for their business.

- The structure of the retail and HORECA market in Poland is not only made up of large, centralised chains, but also a huge network of franchisees, who often run businesses in several different industries with varying degrees of environmental obligations. Our presence at a trade fair aimed at this group of operators is a signal that we have solutions for everyone. And this is how we want to be perceived in the market.

- emphasised Łukasz Czarnowski, Head of Digital Sales CCF at Interzero.

We encourage you to follow our profile to keep up to date with events where you can meet us!

Any marketer of packaging in a country must establish a authorised representative and obtain licence on packaging and/or selected products (batteries, accumulators, tyres). To educate introducers on their obligations under extended producer responsibility in individual countries, we are running a series of free webinars, from which entrepreneurs can find out whether they have an obligation, which waste streams need to be licensed and where they can get support. On 20 March, a free training course was held for introducers in Croatia and Slovenia, which can be viewed here.

You are cordially invited to the upcoming Interzero Webinars:

[ENG] Local obligations for Authorised Representative & EPR in Spain | 17 April 2025 | 10:00-11:00 | Free attendance

[ENG] The PPWR is coming - are you ready? | 29 April 2025 | 10:00-11:00 | Free participation

We encourage you to follow our calendar of eventsso that you do not miss out on upcoming training courses.

Read about the key educational activities we undertook in March.

We have published a report collecting our most interesting educational activities in 2024 - for children, young people, adults, professionals and... art lovers.

In the publication you will find, among other things, information on:

• EcoPak' programme of activities for schools and eco-educators;
• podcasts, reports and outreach of the Eco Without Cuts campaign;
• cooperation with culture and the third sector;
• campaign linking ecology and mental wellbeing - 'Recharge your batteries';
• electro adventure animation with PSZOK in tl.e

Download the report to find out how diverse, timely and engaging environmental education can be: https://interzero.pl/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2025/03/Publiczne-kampanie-ekologiczne-Interzero-2024.pdf

The ecological exhibition, of which Interzero is a partner, has once again gone on tour. Until 25 April, it can be visited in Wrocław in the unique space of the Wrocław Główny railway station.

The exhibition is aimed at children from the age of 5 and whole families. It shows that being eco isn't about making sacrifices, it's about making smart and cost-effective choices like segregating waste correctly, saving water and catching 'energy vampires' in the living room. Admission to the exhibition is free - please visit and follow our profile so you don't miss out on information about the next stops of the exhibition!

Another 200 EkoPak were distributed to schools in the Mazovia region. Thanks to our materials, pupils will produce biogas together and grow an edible plant themselves, or create magnets reminding them of the principles of not wasting food. They will also learn how food is prepared for cosmonauts and how we can make use of it. They will also solve the mystery of why we do not drown in fallen leaves and what can be created from bio-waste.

The penultimate day of March is a small celebration of our industry - Zero Waste Day. On this occasion, on Radio Four, Edyta Mantorska, head of the Environmental Education Team, talked about disposability. Is disposability at a premium these days?

We hope that this meeting with the listeners of the Polish Radio will be the beginning of a longer cooperation and the promotion of environmental education also through radio.

The guest of the April podcast 'Eco without the corners' was one of the greatest experts on aluminium recycling - Jacek Wodzislawski, president of the RECAL Foundation.

There was talk of education, music festivals and, of course, canning. What came out of it was probably the most rock'n'roll EBK episode to date.

EcoExperimentarium is an interactive educational exhibition in Wrocław that aims to promote ecological habits in everyday life. Located in the Session Hall of the Wrocław Central Railway Station at 105 Marszałka Józefa Piłsudskiego Street, the exhibition is available free of charge from 27 March to 25 April 2025.

The exhibition is designed on the floor plan of a flat, where visitors can learn practical ways to save energy, water and reduce waste in individual rooms. For example, in the living room, methods for efficient energy use are presented, in the bathroom - ways to minimise water consumption, and in the kitchen - cooking techniques in the spirit of zero waste.

The exhibition is mainly aimed at organised groups such as kindergarten and primary school students, but is also open to families, young people and senior citizens. Visits for classes and organised groups take place from Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 14:00, and for individual visitors on Saturdays and Sundays from 12:00 to 17:00.

The organiser of the EcoExperimentarium is the Mamy Projekt Foundation and one of the main partners of the exhibition is the company Interzero.

By visiting the EcoExperimentarium, participants have the opportunity to experience how small changes in everyday habits can contribute to climate and environmental protection. It is a great opportunity to learn in a practical way how to take care of the planet while simplifying your life.

The EcoExperimentarium is a project that has so far been visited by more than 60,000 people w 13 cities in PolandThe city of Warsaw, Gdynia, Krakow, Poznań and Bielsko-Biała, among others. Now it is time for Wrocław! Fantastic educators from Ekolandia.edu, who are passionate about sharing their ecological knowledge, await you at the exhibition.

You are cordially invited to visit the exhibition!

You are cordially invited to the Interzero webinar, which will take place 10 April 2025. The event will focus on the latest changes in environmental regulation and the ongoing work on Extended Producer Responsibility (ROP). This is an excellent opportunity to learn more about the upcoming changes and their impact on businesses and the environment.

In the first part of the webinar, hosted by Pawel Sosnowski, the Board's Plenipotentiary for Environmental Regulation, will focus on ROP-related work. According to the latest information, the Extended Producer Responsibility Act will be adopted as early as 2025. Its first measures will take effect as early as 2026, with subsequent measures entering in stages. During the webinar, our expert will discuss:

• Draft assumptions of the ROP Bill presented by the Ministry of Climate and Environment.
• Advantages and disadvantages of the proposed solutions.
• Industry positions to the Ministry's proposal.
• The prospect of further work on a new ROP model.

In the second part of the webinar, we will focus on changes to waste law and changes to BDO. This part will be hosted by Wojciech Przybycin, Environmental Expert. Will be presented:

• Changes to construction waste legislation effective from January 2025.
• New separate collection obligation for textile waste.
• Amendments to the Regulation on types and quantities of waste for which no waste records are required.
• BDO changes effective from January 2025.
• Significant changes regarding stamp duty.

To participate in the webinar, please complete the registration form available at.

Once you have registered, you will receive a confirmation and a link to the broadcast. You are welcome to join!

We are about to celebrate the 19th edition of WWF's Earth Hour, the world's largest grassroots environmental movement and a global event involving tens of millions of people and hundreds of cities every year. Poland will participate for the 18th time.

WWF campaign promotes environmental protection - encourages reflection and a review of habits, but also offers hope for a better tomorrow. The symbolic gesture of turning off the lights for 1 hour a year is an expression of concern for the future of our planet.

It is worth remembering that Earth Hour is more than a brief, fleeting moment when cities are plunged into darkness. It is an initiative and a movement that continues to inspire and mobilise people around the world, reminding us of our collective responsibility for the state of the planet and the real impact we can have on its future appearance.

As in previous years, this year also participate in Earth Hour. Our idea of a world without waste and our main objectives of preventing waste and conserving resources are in line with the slogans proclaimed by the initiators of the campaign. As leaders of sustainable development in Poland and throughout Europe, we feel a special responsibility for the fate of our planet. We strive every day to create awareness, educate and inspire action for a more sustainable future. We also encourage our employees, customers and business partners to do the same.

How to join Earth Hour? On Saturday 22 March at 8.30pm your local time, turn off the lights in your home, office or wherever you are. That's all there is to it and that's all there is to it.

This year's Earth Hour in Poland is dedicated to the need to protect biodiversity. In the opinion of WWF Poland, biodiversity is, next to climate change, one of the most important environmental issues.

As part of the Polish edition of Earth Hour signatures are also being collected on a petition to the Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland on the establishment of an EU Natural Resources Restoration Fund. In it, activists demand action on:

• healthy, sustainable ecosystems that provide protection from extreme weather events,
• ensuring people's health security (physical and mental),
• healthy and resilient agriculture,
• the development of ecotourism,
• creating sustainable jobs in areas where environmental degradation has occurred.

As reported by the initiators of Earth Hour, 2024 was the hottest year in the history of our planet and also ended the hottest decade ever measured. The temperature of the seas had never been so high, and gigantic fires, devastating storms and severe droughts caused enormous damage not only to humans, but also to nature. All these phenomena indicate that we are inevitably approaching so-called tipping points, beyond which we will no longer be able to save our planet and we will irretrievably lose unique ecosystems. Environmentalists therefore encourage us to take action now to ensure that we, the people of the Earth, are climate-secure for years to come.

The goal of Earth Hour 2025 is to Breaking last year's record of 1.5 million hours "donated" to the Earth by event participants. WWF encourages people to share their commitment to the planet by dedicating one hour to either play or act in support of the planet. The organisation presents a range of proposals for local and global activities and encourages you to join them right now on 22 March at 20.30 local time.

For a full list of activities and more information about the campaign, see on the Earth Hour website.

Earth Hour is an environmental campaign created by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)whose final takes place at the end of March each year. Its symbol is the lights going out - a simple gesture with which the initiators and participants show their concern for the state of the Earth's environment and climate and emphasise their commitment to nature conservation. The overarching goal of WWF Earth Hour is to care for the Earth by promoting sustainability and respect for nature and the planet's natural resources.

Earth Hour was held for the first time in 2007 in SydneyThe campaign was launched in 2008, when as many as 2.2 million people took part. In subsequent years, the action gained publicity and gradually spread to other countries of the world. Poland joined Earth Hour in 2008. - At that time, already 50 million people worldwide declared their participation in the event. A year later, already 700 cities from 78 countries declared their participation, and in 2010. Earth Hour was hailed as the biggest environmental action in the history of the world.

Over the past 19 editions, Earth Hour has enjoyed steadily increasing popularity - for one hour a year, the lights have been switched off not only at the Sydney Opera House, but also at the Eiffel Tower, the Colosseum, Buckingham Palace, the Golden Gate Bridge, St Mary's Church in Krakow and the Empire State Building.

As the name suggests, the Hour for only lasts an hour and the the associated reduction in energy consumption is significant. Action also has no impact on emissions related to energy production, which is one of the main causes of climate change.

It should be emphasised, however, that it is not just energy consumption that is at stake here - the festivities are symbolic, with cities plunged into darkness to reflect on climate change and the action we can take to slow it down. With a clear action that everyone can see, such as turning off the lights on a March evening, the action also has the potential to reach an increasingly new audience.

18 March is World Recycling Day, an opportunity to reflect on the benefits we derive from returning materials to circulation. For businesses, meanwhile, it is an ideal time to look at the environmental impact of the products and waste they produce and to take action to reduce resource waste.

According to the statutory definition, recycling is the recovery by which the waste is reprocessed into products, materials or substances used for the original purpose or other purposes[1]. Its aim is to minimise the use of primary raw materials in favour of reusing materials that have already been put into circulation.

[1] Act of 14 December 2012 on waste (Journal of Laws 2013, item 21)

As a result of Polish and EU regulations, it is now the responsibility of many businesses to send their waste for recycling.

• Introducers of packaged products, tyres, lubricants and electrical and electronic equipment have an obligation to ensure recycling of waste produced from the products and packaging they introduced.
• From 2025, PET beverage bottles up to 3 litres must contain min. 25% of recycled plastic. This will increase to 30% from 2030.
• Under the PPWR, by 31 December 2025. at least 65% of packaging waste must be recycled. After 5 years, this share will increase to 70%.
• All packaging placed on the EU market must be recyclable (i.e. they must be designed with recycling in mind and recycled on a large scale).
• From 2030, plastic packaging will have to contain a certain amount of recyclate (depending on the packaging material).

Pressure regarding the recyclability of products and packaging is not only put on businesses by regulations, but also by consumers. The European Consumer Packaging Perceptions study 2025 conducted by Pro Carton shows that recyclability of packaging is the most important attribute respondents pay attention to when making their daily choices.

On Recycling Day, we are particularly pleased that as many as 84% of those surveyed are aware of which types of packaging materials are recyclable and which are not necessarily. As many as 65% consumers taking part in the survey specifically identified recyclability, as well as resealability and the use of renewable raw materials, as among the key features of any packaging. Furthermore, as many as four out of ten consumers indicated that they had refrained from choosing a product from a particular brand because of various concerns about its environmental impact, and 54% of them put a product back on the shelf whose packaging was not recyclable!

It follows that placing an emphasis on the recyclability of packaging and products can give businesses a huge competitive advantage and build a favourable image of their company in the eyes of consumers. This is all the more important as it is in recycling that as many as 67% consumers see a remedy for climate change.

62% respondents indicated that they had increased the amount of waste they recycled in the last 12 months. We can therefore see that Consumers are making an effort to take stronger care of the environment. They also expect the same from businesses, or more specifically, from the manufacturers.

• 62% of those surveyed wish manufacturers would use more renewable materials.
• 52% Respondents would prefer manufacturers to produce only easily recyclable packaging.
• 38% consumers want clear segregation instructions on packaging.
• 37%, on the other hand, would see room to set up deposit systems for hard-to-recycle materials[1].

[1] Pro Carton, European Consumer Packaging Percertion Study 2025, https://issuu.com/procarton/docs/european_consumer_packaging_perceptions_study_2025.

As environmental consultants, we want to emphasise that placing an emphasis on recycling not only allows you to increase revenue, but also to reduce the company's waste management costs. More and more companies are recognising that effective waste management helps to reduce the frequency and cost of waste collection and helps to generate additional revenue from the sale of either raw materials or recycling documents (DPR, EDPR).

World Recycling Day is the perfect time to take action to better manage your company's waste. If you want to optimise your waste management processes and reduce your environmental impact, contact us - we will help you make changes that will increase the competitiveness and profitability of your business!

At Interzero, we support entrepreneurs in their efforts to turn back raw materials and close material cycles. We are well aware that this recycling is one of the pillars of GOZ, which is why we offer our customers, among other things:

• assumption of recovery and recycling obligations for packaging, tyres, batteries and accumulators, oils and lubricants, vehicles and WEEE. This not only benefits the environment, but also the company budget. see how much you will save by handing over your duty to us!
• implementation of public education campaigns, in which we show how to handle waste to maximise its chances of being recycled,
• modern industrial composterswhich accelerate the recycling of biowaste,
• unique Recycled-Resource plastics recycling processresulting in the production of high-quality regranulate in accordance with customer specifications.

The most important research work on plastics recycling technology takes place in the newly opened Interzero Plastics Innovations doo laboratory in the Lenart industrial zone in Maribor in Slovenia. Thanks to him we can supply our customers with the highest quality recycled plasticswhich can successfully replace virgin raw materials.

The past month was full of important events and initiatives at Interzero. As part of the educational campaign Eco-friendly without the frills we published the third part of the report 'In the traps of disposability', which analysed Poles' attitudes to reusable packaging. We also took an active part in Sustainable Industry Lab 2025, where we were particularly interested in the presentation of the Waste Platform 2.0, which makes it easier for businesses to meet their environmental obligations. Check out what's new at Interzero below!

February saw the end of the pilot edition of our flagship educational programme EcoPak. 100 classrooms from Warsaw and the surrounding area received boxes filled with materials to help teachers conduct interesting and engaging paper-related lessons. Pupils learnt how paper is produced, how often it accompanies us in everyday life, the importance of its proper segregation and whether it is possible to recycle it. At the same time, they exercised their manual skills and creativity. During the activities, they built a cardboard forest, carried out an investigation in their school about the use of paper, created posters, collages and many other beautiful works. Also this month, we completed the recruitment for the second edition of the EcoPak on bio-waste. This time up to 200 packs will be distributed to schools. We encourage you to follow our pages and social media profiles.

The past month has brought important findings on the future of reusable packaging. Our new report looks at how Poles perceive alternatives to single-use plastic, which under the SUP directive has had to have a reusable option since last July. This is the third instalment of the series 'In the traps of disposability', in which Interzero analyses the implications of the SUP (Single-Use Plastics) directive for everyday consumer decisions. This time, the experts focused on takeaway food habits and examined what characteristics Poles think the ideal reusable packaging should have. The entire report is available to download on the Eco Without Borders website.

Our experts shared their knowledge on technological solutions to support sustainability and how to manage waste effectively. Speakers included: Paweł Lesiak Vice President, Łukasz Czarnowski Digital Sales Cross Country Function Head and Robert Kowal Business Development Manager. Discussions included: digital challenges in waste management, the role of IT tools in ESG reporting, the importance of reliable data in ESG strategy - how its analysis helps reduce emissions and build transparency in companies' operations, growing consumer awareness - why education and innovative approaches to sustainability are so important for the future of business. You can read more about the speeches on our fanpage.

If you export your products to the Spanish market, you must comply with the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) requirements. The Spanish regulations cover both local companies and foreign entrepreneurs placing on the market: packaged products (domestic, commercial, industrial), electrical and electronic equipment (EEE), batteries, accumulators and appliances containing them. Companies outside Spain must appoint an authorised representative to handle the formalities on their behalf. With Interzero it's easy! Simply sign the contract and we will take over your EPR responsibilities. We will provide full support in the registration, reporting and ongoing implementation of your environmental obligations, regardless of the scale of your business.

The 2025 Environment Conference is getting closer! Already 3-4 June we are meeting at the Warszawianka Hotel near Serock to discuss together the most important legal changes in the field of environmental protection. This is an event not to miss if you want to keep up to date with SUP, ROP, PPWR and ESG regulations. There is a discount of -15% on the regular price during March, so it's the perfect time to register! Agenda for the event is almost ready. See you in June!