Cementownia Odra, the oldest operating facility of its kind in Poland, opens its gates to the general public once every two years. This year's event was unique, as it was organised for the first time since the pandemic. As in previous years, it attracted crowds of visitors, who had the opportunity to see the facility and explore the secrets of cement production, including technologies that minimise the plant's impact on the environment.

In his speech, Wojciech Putra, President of Cementownia Odra, emphasised that good neighbourliness requires trust, and the Open Day is an excellent opportunity to see for oneself what measures are being taken in the area of social and environmental responsibility.

Among other things, Opole residents learned that the cement production process is waste-free, while at the same time allowing the management of many difficult wastes such as:

• Fly ash (waste from power plant or thermal power station)
• Granulated blast furnace slag (waste from the steel industry)
• Reagips (waste from flue gas desulphurisation process)
• Copper slag (waste from copper smelters)
• Steel slags (by-product of the converter process)
• Alternative fuels (municipal and industrial waste)

Currently, 40% of the raw materials used in the production of Portland cements at the Oder Cement Works come from waste, and 60% of the energy is generated from alternative fuels.

In addition to the tour, the organisers provided a number of attractions, including performances by artists singing the greatest hits from the Opole Festival and a children's festival. In the children's zone, the Interzero stand was very popular, where visitors could playfully learn about the principles of correct waste segregation or prepare a small gift for their loved ones.

The Open Day at Cement Works Odra showed how this plant combines tradition with innovation and how it cares for the environment and the local community.

Interzero was one of the partners of the Open Day at the Oder Cement Works.

The responsibilities placed on entrepreneurs, coupled with regulatory changes, create a sense of uncertainty for self-employed or full-time workers. Although environmental protection is a small part of running a business, its importance cannot be overstated.

The PPWR regulations will come into full force by the end of 2025 and will primarily affect manufacturers and producers. This will require almost every manufacturer to fully adhere to guidelines related to the reuse of raw materials and the implementation of reusable packaging.

This project aims to reduce packaging pollution and promote a closed-loop economy for packaging. In terms of industry, the legislation aims to create new business prospects, reduce the need for virgin raw materials and increase the recycling capacity of the European Union. It is worth emphasising that By 2030, all packaging on the EU market must be recyclable.

The amendment to the Packaging and Packaging Waste Management Act also introduced solutions to increase the efficiency of waste management, especially of waste from beverage packaging - this is the deposit system, which will take effect in our country from 2025.

In this connection, until the end of the month you can take advantage of a promotional price for selected training courses at Interzero Academy on the topics of PPWR, SUP and the bail system. Check out our offer at the link.

More on PPWR also in an upcoming live webinar entitled 'The PPWR. "PPWR - a new challenge for packaging product introducers", which will be hosted by Pawel Sosnowski on 20 June.

Register today!

Join us for a unique workshop on the role of recycling in a Closed-loop Economy (SEE) and the operation of the deposit system. The meeting will be held 12 June 2024. at PRT Radomsko Sp. z o.o. (ul. Geodetów 8, 97-500 Radomsko).

The meeting is organised by Polish Chamber of Packaging Recovery and Recycling in cooperation with Interzero, the CPG Cluster, Ecokaucja S.A., the Foundation for Ecological and Educational Solutions "GREEN".

During the workshop, we will discuss key issues related to legislation, eco-design, recovery and recycling of packaging. We will then move from theory to the practical considerations of packaging waste management.

The workshop programme:

1. Introductory presentation: "The impact of recycling on GOZ".
2. Panel discussion: "Practical aspects of the Bail System".
3. Visit to a PET bottle recycling plant: We learn about processing and the new life of plastic

Check out the full agenda for the event

The meeting is divided into two groups. The first group will meet at 9:00 a.m. and the second group will meet at 12:30 p.m. Each meeting will start with a discussion on legislation and practice in recycling in GOZ, followed by a tour of the PRT Radomsko plant and a live view of the PET bottle recycling facilities and process. Details of enrolment at the link.

You are welcome to attend free of charge! Places are limited, first come first served.

See you at the workshop!

On 18 June, the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Conference Centre will host the next edition of the trade fair aimed at retailers - Retail Trends.

The motto of this year's event is "New opening, new opportunities".

The economic situation of recent years is making us pay more attention to consumers and their needs. This is also forcing businesses to analyse areas of investment, especially those related to technology and digital transformation, and to think more deeply about the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning in business.

As Interzero, we will be presenting our Sielaff brand bottling machineswhich may soon prove indispensable in every major retail chain, as a deposit system will be in force in Poland from 2025. Our representatives will be happy to provide more information about the equipment, demonstrate the functionality of the chosen model and advise those interested on the right solution to suit their needs. You will find our stand right next to the lecture hall and the catering area!

You are also cordially invited to listen to the debate entitled. "Transformation is the only way! How will the deposit system and the green revolution change the retail sector and the packaging market?". The panel will include Pawel Sosnowski, Board Agent for Environmental Regulation.

During the debate, participants will jointly consider, among other things, at what stage of preparation for the implementation of the deposit system is the Polish trade and food industry, how the CSRD will change the trade-supplier relationship, and how to work towards a green supply chain.

More information about the event can be found on the organiser's website. 

There is growing environmental pressure on European Union countries to implement further measures to reduce the negative environmental impact of packaging. 24 April 2024 The European Parliament adopted the PPWR (Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive), which brings significant changes for entrepreneurs in the design, production and recycling of packaging.

The EU implements the rules not by way of a directive, but by way of a regulation. This means that the requirements will enter directly into the Polish legal order, without the need for time-consuming implementation as in the case of directives. It is time for a real packaging revolution and without unnecessary delays.

The 11th Edition of the Interzero Environmental Conference will be launched on 18 September at the Sheraton in Sopot! We warmly invite all those interested in promoting sustainable development to to cover the partnership our event.

Why become our partner?

• The Environmental Conference is an event that a wide range of pro-environmental topics (e.g. ESG, PPWR, GOZ, CSRD, CSR) attracts industry leaders, as well as expert companies and organisations related to the environment, recycling or sustainable development.
• By participating in the Conference you have the chance to make valuable business contactsas well as sharing experiences and gaining invaluable knowledge about the latest environmental trends, enabling you to build a more effective sustainable business strategy.
• As a partner an event focused on promoting sustainable development and integrated environmental solutions, build a green image for your company through real action to support the environment.

Would you like to find out more? Contact us at konferencja@interzero.plto receive an offer.

Details of the event available on the website of the Environmental Conference and on LinkedIn event.

Every entrepreneur placing electrical and electronic equipment on the market must comply with a number of obligations under the WEEE Act. Polish companies may do it themselves or through a recovery organisation. However, foreign companies may be obliged to establish in Poland authorised representativewho will perform the duties of introducer on their behalf.

Manufacturers established in another EU Member State who:

• manufacture or market the equipment under their own name or trademark in the territory of the Member State concerned,
• resell under their own name or trademark equipment manufactured by others in the Member State,
• in the course of a commercial activity, equipment originating from a non-EU country or from another Member State is made available for distribution, consumption or use on the market of that Member State for the first time, whether in return for payment or free of charge

MAY appoint an authorised representative who will be responsible for carrying out, on the national territory, the obligations set out in the Act in relation to equipment placed on the market by that manufacturer.

In contrast, manufacturers established in another Member State or non-EU country and selling devices remotely in that country (e.g. via an online shop or sales platform) MUST establish an authorised representative.

As Interzero, we can take over your responsibilities under the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act. Our experts will get to know the specifics of your business and determine the type and status of your introductory duties, and then offer you the most favourable offer

For more information, please visit Authorised representative in Poland

As a leader in zero waste solutions, we are shaping the future of sustainability and the circular economy, as you will read in our latest Sustainability Magazine.  

Guided by our vision of a 'world without waste', we are constantly working to turn this ambitious goal into reality. We continue to set new standards in the industry - from our innovative software Materialkontowhich provides full transparency and strategic access to processed raw materials, to the groundbreaking PET recycling plant in Liebenau. These successes are underlined by the prestigious German Sustainability Award 2024, which Interzero received in the category 'Waste Management and Recycling Industry', recognising our transformative work in waste management and resource conservation. We believe that our approach can be a source of inspiration - proving that environmental responsibility and economic prosperity can go hand in hand. 

Our activities go beyond recycling; we actively collaborate with manufacturers (CLASSEN Group) or fashion brands (Marc Cain) to implement sustainable practices in various industries. Our initiatives, such as the 'We want Moor' campaign and our partnership with COREPLA for the RecoPet project in Italy, demonstrate our commitment to addressing environmental issues on many fronts. By investing in education through the International Zero Waste Academy and engaging in projects such as chemical recycling, we foster a culture of sustainability that encourages innovation and collaboration. As leaders in environmental stewardship, our holistic approach and tangible contributions are pushing the boundaries towards a more sustainable and cyclical future. 

Read the whole HERE. 

Dear Sirs,

We would like to inform you that in connection with the integration of the Interzero team, on 16-17 May this year. our branches in Warsaw, Krakow, Lodz and Katowice will be closedand contact with our staff will be difficult.

We will return to work on Monday 20 May. We apologise most sincerely for any inconvenience.

The Interzero team

Waste management is often a challenge that keeps entrepreneurs awake at night. It takes a lot of time and can be complicated. Nevertheless, it is a necessity, stemming from both legal requirements and the pursuit of sustainability. It turns out that there are tools that can make this task significantly easier. One of the most comprehensive solutions is Interzero Waste Platform.

Waste management is extremely important for companies generating significant amounts of waste. The legal precepts that are crucial in this case are the Waste Act of 14 XII 2012, the Act on Maintaining Cleanliness and Order in Municipalities of 13 IX 1996, the Act of 23 I 2020 amending the Waste Act and certain other acts, the Regulation on the Waste Catalogue, as well as the Regulation of the Minister of Climate of 23 December 2019 on the types and quantities of waste exempted from keeping waste records.

Violations of regulations on proper waste disposal can result in severe sanctions. These are envisaged for those who neglect their waste disposal obligations, including the accumulation of waste on illegal dumps or improper waste management, i.e. not in accordance with the permit obtained. The administrative penalty provided for ranges from PLN 1 000 to a maximum of PLN 1 000 000.

On the other hand, companies are increasingly feeling their own need to manage waste, due to the increasing public environmental awareness, including customers and business stakeholders. Companies are aware of the genuine need for change and are therefore taking measures to reduce their environmental impact. Efficient waste management is therefore becoming not only a legal obligation, but also a strategic choice to achieve sustainability and build a positive corporate image.

To solve these problems, companies use various treatments. They can hire a waste management specialist, set up an entire department dedicated to the issue or use modern online tools. Not only financial but also qualitative considerations speak in favour of choosing the latter. An example is Interzero Waste Platform. It is an innovative online tool that provides a one-stop solution that is used by both large corporations and small businesses, regardless of the industry in which they operate.

It is a tool that allows you to act quickly and conveniently. There are a number of benefits to using it, including reducing waste management costs, increasing profits from raw material sales, automating waste collection and recovery logistics, streamlining and standardising waste management processes across the company, reducing the risk of errors when entering data into the BDO system, and the ability to store and manage all environmental documentation in one place.

It is worth emphasising that The Interzero Waste Platform has been integrated with BDO, so that users benefit from a simple login function without the need for trusted profile authentication. When in use, the system remains stable and records data in real time and updates it in BDO. However, the convenience benefits do not end there, as the system guarantees the automatic creation and validation of KPOs at the time of waste export notification, the possibility to correct KPOs with 1 click, and the automation of waste record keeping (KEO).

Remote ordering of waste collection has been simplified to the extent that the collector receives a notification with complete information on the type of waste fraction, type of container and location. Additional telephone or e-mail contact is no longer necessary. Most importantly, however, the platform allows all environmental documentation to be stored and managed in one place.

Customers from more than 1,000 locations throughout Poland are already benefiting from the use of the Interzero Waste Platform. A total of almost 81,000 KPOs have been issued through it. Thanks to the platform, more than 2,300 KEOs have also been established, with more than 190,000 individual records. The platform can be tested for up to three months at no extra charge. This gives companies the opportunity to try out all its functionalities and see if it is the right tool for them.