Nhe year began with enthusiasm and full commitment – we organised training, campaigns, educational workshops and we have launched a new service. Read on for a summary of January at the Interzero Group in Poland, where we outline the key events of recent weeks. 

From 2025, the beauty industry is required to comply with new regulations on hazardous waste records. This major change, the obligation to register with BDO, will affect thousands of hairdressers, beauticians and other beauty industry service providers. We have launched a new form, which allows you to contact our company and take over the obligation to register with BDO. 

New entry on the website translators to whom the new regulations apply, what penalties are available in the event of non-compliance and what waste is subject to registration with BDO. 

In January, the second part of Interzero's report 'In the traps of disposability' was published, entitled "Waiting for bail". This analysis of Poles' knowledge of the bail system shows, among other things, that: 

• 23% of respondents had never heard of a bail system  

• 41% are concerned that the turnaround points will be too far from their location  

• 40% says you may need a receipt to get your deposit back  

Even this cursory extraction from the data makes it possible to identify areas that need to be addressed with an appropriate information campaign to bring the way the bail system works closer to home.  

The aim of the publication series 'In the Traps of Disposability', produced by Interzero on the basis of quantitative and qualitative research conducted by Opinia24, is to assess the impact of the Single Use Plastics (SUP) Directive coming into force. Speaking more extensively about this, she said on air Polish Radio Four Edyta Mantorska, Manager of the Interzero Environmental Education Team.  

A webinar on the deposit system held on 16 January 2025, hosted by Pawel Sosnowski, Board Representative for Environmental Regulation at Interzero, provided participants with key information on the amendment of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Management Act. 

The training discussed the details of the regulatory changes, including the postponement of the launch date for bail schemes, changes to covered drinks, new rules for collecting bail and the introduction of VAT on unclaimed bail. 

A great value of the event was the rich Q&A session, which allowed participants to dispel numerous doubts and gain practical information on the new regulations. Thanks to the activity and commitment of the participants, the Q&A became a great opportunity to clarify any ambiguities and discuss problems that entrepreneurs may face. 

Why are there differences between publicly available data on waste management? Why is it better to say plastics instead of plastic? What environmental topics did Poles live with in 2024 and what awaits us in 2025? These issues were discussed in the podcast 'Eko bez kantów'. We encourage you to listen to the latest episodes on the YouTube platform:  

• "Waste and data - where do the discrepancies come from?" - Dr. Beata Waszczyłko-Miłkowska, IOŚ-PIB  
• "Waste management - what do the figures tell us?" - Dr. Beata Waszczyłko-Miłkowska, IOŚ-PIB  
• "2024 in ecology. What awaits us in 2025?" - Editors: Jakub Pawłowski, Aleksander Jakub Paszyński, Jakub Wojajczyk and Szymon Majewski  
• "Plastic - we need it, although we don't like to admit it" - Dr Anna Kozera-Szałkowska, PlasticsEurope Polska  

The next edition of the Interzero Environmental Conference will take place on 3-4 June at the Warszawianka Hotel near Serock! This is a unique event that will allow you to learn about the latest legal changes in environmental protection. Promotion early birds runs only until the end of February, so don't delay - share this message with others now! It is also a great opportunity to make new business contacts. For more information on the event, see here.  

Does your company sell products to Poland? And do you know what environmental responsibilities this entails? Take part in a free webinar in English!

During the webinar we will discuss:

1. Environmental obligations in Polish law - introduction
2. Explanation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
3. Licensing obligation for dealers and manufacturers
4. The role of the authorised representative
5. Good practices and support for companies
6. Question and answer session

The meeting will be chaired by Przemyslaw Kuna, Managing Director of Interzero.

To attend the webinar, simply register at HERE.

Registration is open until 20 February at 8am.

The transition to a circular economy is inevitable - these are the conclusions of the latest Interzero study Businesses in the circular economy: a detailed analysis. The green transformation of companies is not only enforced by legislation. It is also expected by customers, investors and financial institutions. The best way to set the right course for change is to work with an environmental consultancy.

From the survey Businesses in the circular economy: a detailed analysis shows that a significant Most companies want to implement sustainable initiatives or have already started doing sos. Such declarations were made by 71.1 to 84.9% managers representing medium and large companies from 6 European countries.

Companies in the FMCG (81%) and electronics (82%) sectors stand out as the most active in this respect. For this group of companies, the implementation of circular solutions is no longer considered in the context of competitive advantage - the it becomes necessary in order to maintain its current position on the market.

The situation is slightly different for companies in the construction, retail and logistics sectors, where the drive to make the idea of a circular economy a reality is declared by just over 60% of respondents. From their perspective, making green changes stay ahead of the competition, create and control industry trends and gain the trust of new groups of customers and investors.

What budget do medium and large companies allocate to sustainability? In which activities do they most often invest? Download the survey report and discover the latest trends in sustainability! 

Despite the implementation of further sustainable initiatives, significant the majority of companies surveyed are still a long way from achieving the goals of Agenda 2030 - considered the 'easiest' non-financial reporting target to implement has only been achieved by 20.5% respondents, while the 'most difficult' carbon neutrality target has only 15.7% respondents on track.

This state of affairs, as it were, forces companies to seek advisory support. Researched companies were almost unanimous in their desire to use an environmental consulting firm and to entrust it with strategic, management and operational tasks.

Managers of large and medium-sized companies declared that the introduction of sustainable measures can benefit their companies in the following ways:
- reducing the amount of waste generated (and consequently reducing waste management costs),
- increase the efficiency of the company's operations,
- to meet the growing expectations of customers, financial institutions and investors,
- adapting to prevailing industry trends.

However, the authors of the padding emphasise that for real benefits to be realised, it is necessary to implement changes based on concrete data and measurements. Otherwise, companies risk misdirecting investments. Assessing the environmental performance of products, services and the organisation as a whole was declared by only 35.5% of the companies surveyed. Some of the companies surveyed stated that they did not have any useful data or research to create a strategy for their organisation's sustainability efforts.

These figures clearly indicate not only the need for research and development work, but also the need for ongoing cooperation with a consulting entity like Interzero as an experienced partner specialising in sustainability.

Given the huge impact of sustainability activities on the perception of a company by all its stakeholders, companies seeking advisory support are guided by a number of concretised criteria.

• One of the most common criteria is the possibility of adapting the services offered to the specific nature of the business. Many entrepreneurs have experienced the difficulty or even impossibility of implementing off-the-shelf, unmodified solutions into their business models.
• Equally important is wide range consulting firm. Respondents particularly value availability of comprehensive, integrated environmental services and the opportunity to receive advice in other areas, not necessarily related to sustainability.
• A key criterion is also good reputation of the environmental consultancy.

As environmental consultants, we understand these expectations of entrepreneurs very well. At Interzero, we have been developing customised, integrated services for over 30 years in the field of environmental protection for companies of all sizes and from all sectors. We offer comprehensive environmental consultancy, training, audits, and we provide tailor-made solutions for sustainability, recycling, waste management and waste machinery. We support businesses in meeting their legal environmental obligations and in the implementation of a circular economy. We are already trusted by more than 9,500 entities - find out more about our environmental services and join the customers with whom we are pursuing a shared vision of a world without waste.

Six countries were analysed: Italy, Austria, Poland, Slovenia, Croatia and Serbia. The objectives of the study were: to understand and analyse market trends in sustainability and the circular economy, to explore potential barriers to the implementation of sustainable practices, to examine the main sustainability needs in the medium and large enterprise sector, to analyse the readiness of these enterprises to move towards more sustainable business models.

The data analysed in the course of the study came from company press releases, newspaper and magazine articles and sustainability reports, as well as from interviews conducted with top executives representing the companies under study

In the first part of the report 'In the traps of reusability', entitled 'The curse of single-use plastic', we also read a lot about the eating habits of Poles: what they order most often, where and how they order (by phone, app, in person), what they pay attention to when they look at the packaging they are offered, and what they think about reusable packaging.

And these are just some of the findings from the qualitative and quantitative research to help diagnose and describe the state of implementation of the single-use plastics directive in Poland. The qualitative research involved interviews with 24 people, the quantitative CAWI research was conducted on a nationwide representative sample of 1,000 people. You can read the entire publication here: https://ekobezkantow.pl/raporty/w-pulapkach-jednorazowosci/

About Eco without the corners

In 'Eco without the squiggles', we talk about ecology without bending the truth. We deal with myths, fake news and half-truths. Our aim is to explain why waste should be separated, not just how to do it properly.

"Eco without a corner" was born out of the belief that in a world full of misinformation and greenwashing, a reliable source of accurate information is needed. We cover topics such as sustainability, recycling, GOZ and legislation related to waste management. We discuss the environmental impact of packaging, batteries and electro-waste, as well as how to reuse them as valuable resources.

The Packaging and Packaging Waste Management Act of 13 June 2013 introduced provisions for the inclusion of certain beverage packaging in a deposit scheme. The deposit systems were to be launched, in accordance with the provisions of this law, from January 2025. However, in order for them to function properly, a number of additional amendments to the Act proved necessary, in line with demands made, among others, by entrepreneurs introducing packaged beverages.

The training will discuss the changes to the provisions of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Management Act of 13 June 2013 introduced by the Amendment Act passed in December 2024, including, among others, the postponement of the launch of deposit schemes and the consequences thereof, changes to the drinks covered by the deposit scheme, changes to the way deposits are collected, the inclusion of unclaimed deposits in VAT.

The exact scope of the topic:

1. Clarification of the provisions for obtaining authorisations to set up bail schemes.
2. Exclusion of milk and milk product packaging from deposit schemes.
3. Making the collection of deposits mandatory at each stage of the sale of packaged beverages.
4. Enabling so-called reverse logistics by vendors.
5. Obligation for operators of commercial units with an area of 200 m2 or less to collect reusable glass packaging.
6. Subject to VAT on the unclaimed deposit.
7. Postponement of the launch of bail systems

The training will be led by: Pawel Sosnowski, Board Commissioner for Environmental Regulation at Interzero

Registration link HERE

The webinar is primarily aimed at:

• Entrepreneurs introducing packaged beverages
• Environmental specialists
• Persons responsible for packaging waste management in retail chains
• Anyone interested in the latest legal regulations on packaging management

You are cordially invited to attend the webinar!

Registration for lasts until: 16 January 2025 by 8:00 am.

Sign up today!

Speeches at industry events, training courses and campaigns and educational workshops - even though the end of the year is approaching and the holiday spirit is already in the air, we at Interzero are still going strong. We would like to invite you to read a summary of November in the Interzero Group in Poland, in which we briefly outline the most important events of the past month.

Environmental Sustainability Dashboard from Interzero is now licensed by the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI)! This is another step for us to make ESG reporting simple and accessible to every company. At the same time, we want our tool to be reliable. Through the GRI Licensing Software & Tools Program, GRI ensures that our Environmental Sustainability Dashboard accurately and efficiently addresses GRI standards, based on best practices. The key benefits of our programme are accurate sustainability reporting, helping you meet legislation and attracting stakeholders - through robust and transparent reporting. We are almost certain that even companies that will not be subject to ESG reporting will need to keep records if they want to work with larger entities.

This month Interzero had the pleasure of be a guest speaker at the ITTF Warsaw international trade fair, that is, at one of the largest events in the travel industry, where partners involved in the development and promotion of the sector come together. Our representative, Managing Director at Interzero Przemysław Kuna, took part in a panel entitled "The impact of supplier selection on the carbon neutrality of business travel. How sustainability policies affect business travel management'. Przemysław advocated that industry players who have not yet taken an interest in ESG should not be crossed out. The speakers talked not only about business travel, but also about fleet electrification and infrastructure in Poland.

In addition, Przemyslaw also took part in the debate Rzeczpospolitaej: "How to reconcile fire and water, i.e. the needs of business and cities vis-à-vis the ROP during the mobilisation of work on the law".held in the editorial office of the daily newspaper as part of the 'Fight for Climate' series. Our expert took a concrete stance - as Interzero, we are in favour of a free market and transparent extended producer responsibility model. Everyone wants to know what they are paying for and why. We do not want entrepreneurs to become mere objects on which further financial obligations can be imposed. We encourage you to read the article summarising the debate here.

At the end of November, Łukasz Pachucki conducted a classroom training course at our headquarters in Łódź for the second time, this time under the title 'Environmental inspection control in a company'. We are very pleased that we were able to carry out this project in more intimate groups. The exchange of knowledge, experience and the opportunity to ask any questions to an expert allows for an in-depth study of the topic. The companies whose employees attended the training already know every step of the inspection, and thanks to the Q&A session and the opportunity to consult with our expert after the training, they have guidelines and plans in place to ensure that the inspection of the WIOŚ goes smoothly. We would like to thank the presenter for the substantive workshop and all the participants for their confidence - we hope to see you at future classroom trainings!

On the initiative of the Interzero Environmental Education Team, in cooperation with the Foundation Bęc Zmiana, a workshop entitled "Architecture of Waste" took place on 23 November in a Warsaw theatre.. Among the topics of the meeting were the new waste regulations. These are inextricably linked to the creation of appropriate urban, housing and communication spaces. Through the prism of their own experiences from many sectors, the participants generated ideas for new solutions which could, for example: help consumers to be active in the deposit system. Architects Michał Sikorski and Petro Vladimirov and artist Zofia Strumiłło-Sukiennik were invited to the workshop. The choice was not accidental - each of the presenters tackles the subject of waste in a different way. The workshop was part of the series 'Laboratory of Happiness Research. Life after comfort", an art and research project.

On 29 November, the Museum of Photography in Krakow hosted the debate "Look! Does it work?", which focused on the topic of social campaigns about waste. This was a continuation of Interzero's collaboration with this cultural institution. The pretext for the talk was Interzero's research 'Between the pluses and the minuses' and 'We pack in the trouble', which indicates that young adults are less engaged with environmental issues. Speakers included: Alicja Waszkiewicz-Raviv who is scientifically involved in visual communication and campaign effectiveness, Dominika Lenkowska-Piechocka, founder of the agency Who Will Save The Planet, and Edyta Mantorska - head of the Environmental Education Team at Interzero. The debate was preceded by a workshop aimed at young people.

We ended the month by partnering with BWA Wrocław on the 'Limited Exhibition' project. At 9-10 Kościuszki Square in the Lower Silesian capital, seven sculptures by Kasia Fudakowski will be on display until 16 February. One of the main motifs of the exhibition is the theme of limited resources in the context of production; the artist was inspired to create the exhibition by her reflections on how 'culture and art are inextricably linked to the energy resources available on Earth and the power structures that dispose of these resources'. The artist has ceded control of the exhibition to the public while simultaneously limiting the energy that powers it. The question, then, is whether every visitor will be able to see the exhibition in the same form. Interzero's Environmental Education team has prepared an educational programme in collaboration with the institution in December that relates fully to the topic of electro-waste.

November saw the conclusion of the social campaign "Recharge your batteries", which had been running since September as part of the Eco Without Borders project, under the substantive patronage of the Malgosia Braunek Be Foundation and in collaboration with the Mindy app. During the project, a series of free webinars was held where participants had the chance to meet online with independent experts. Among other things, we talked about ecopsychology, the benefits of forest bathing, somatic practices to relieve stress and a healthy diet for the body and the planet. In addition, participants were able to gain premium access to the Mindy app by posting photos of themselves disposing of batteries on their social media with the hashtag #naladujswojebaterie.

November was a month full of mainly educational as well as socio-cultural events. We would like to thank all Interzero employees involved in the aforementioned activities, as well as the partners for inviting us to collaborate - joint intersectional workshops and debates are something that always bring people together and provide more opportunities for development and wider education of the public about the essence of sustainability.

Interzero specialises in providing integrated environmental services. Our mission is to support companies in achieving sustainability through innovative solutions and education. Interzero Academy is a platform that offers a wide range of training courses tailored to the needs of environmental professionals.

• Waste management training - Learn how to effectively manage your company's waste and know your responsibilities.
• Environmental compliance training - Make sure your business is compliant with the latest regulations. Find out more about ROP, battery regulation, PPWR or the bail system.
• Training on air protection and waste water management - Gain knowledge of environmental reporting. Make sure you have the necessary permits and are operating in accordance with the law.

It's easy! Just visit our website Interzero Academy the last week of November and select the training courses you are interested in. All online training courses on the website will be cheaper by 50%. Don't miss this unique opportunity - the promotion only runs from 25 to 29 november 2024!

An investment in knowledge is an investment in the future. Through our training courses, you will not only gain new skills but also a competitive advantage in the market. Interzero Academy is a quality guarantee that will help you achieve peace of mind in terms of compliance with environmental obligations. The knowledge you acquire will allow your company to avoid administrative penalties that may be imposed when a company significantly affects the environment.

Don't wait! Join the ranks of satisfied participants in our training courses and take advantage of the unique Black Week offer at Interzero Academy.