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We invite you to the Interzero stand at the Retail Show 2023

We cordially invite you to the Interzero stand No. B20 during the Retail Show 2023 at EXPO XXI in Warsaw.

On November 22 and 23, 2023, Interzero will appear at the 11th Retail Show Equipment Store Equipment Fair at EXPO XXI in Warsaw. This event is addressed primarily to the retail industry, companies from Poland and around the world specializing in providing IT systems for trade, shop equipment, furniture, products, security and protection systems, advisory, legal and consulting services and FMCG goods.

Visitors will have the opportunity to learn more about modern technologies that support a sustainable approach to waste management. We will present, among others: innovative Sielaff bottle lockers, which enable effective collection of packaging waste covered by the deposit system from 2025, and a compact Oklin composting device. At our stand, you will also have the opportunity to meet Interzero experts, ready to provide information and share knowledge about the latest industry solutions.

More event details available HERE .

Ecological packaging for your product – Made for Recycling and Bambiboo diapers

Ecological packaging, using biodegradable and recyclable materials, reduces the negative impact on the environment. By choosing ecological packaging, you support sustainable development and care for the future of our planet. Find out more about how you can get the Made for Recycling certificate from Interseroh+ to confirm your ecological solutions!

Eco-friendly packaging is often designed to minimize the amount of waste generated during production, distribution and use. This reduces the amount of waste going to landfills and the natural environment. Packaging that can be easily recycled encourages consumers to properly dispose of waste and reuse it.

Our client knows this Bambiboo, which received as many as 18 points in the packaging evaluation method Made for Recycling conducted by Interseroh+. This classification is based on a scientific assessment method developed by Interseroh+ together with the bifa Environmental Institute and validated by Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV. Packaging that receives 18-20 points on the research scale is awarded a certificate and the Made for Recycling mark.

Bambiboo demonstrates the good recyclability of its packaging by placing the “Made for Recycling” mark on it. In this way, the company provides its customers with real help in sustainable consumption. After all, recycling valuable materials makes an important contribution to protecting the climate and resources!

If you would like to test your product in terms of environmental friendliness of its packaging, please contact us!

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Czy wiesz, że brokaty zostały zakazane w UE?

Unia Europejska ogłosiła wprowadzenie zakazu na produkty zawierające mikroplastik. Zakaz sprzedaży sypkiego brokatu wszedł w życie już 15 października 2023 roku, początkowo obowiązując tylko na terenie Niemiec, ale planowane jest jego rozszerzenie na całą Unię Europejską. Nowe przepisy zabraniają nie tylko produktów do makijażu, ale i wielu innych produktów zawierających brokat. Ta inicjatywa ma na celu przeciwdziałanie negatywnym skutkom mikroplastiku dla środowiska i zdrowia ludzkiego. Produkty do makijażu, ust i paznokci będą stopniowo podlegać nowym zasadom; brokat obecny w produktach spłukiwanych będzie dostępny do 16 października 2027 roku, a w produktach niespłukiwanych do 16 października 2029 roku. W 2030 roku zakazane zostaną syntetyczne mikrocząstki polimerowe używane do kapsułkowania substancji zapachowych. W 2031 roku zakaz obejmie granulat wypełniający nawierzchnie syntetyczne w obiektach sportowych. Ostatecznie, w 2035 roku, zakaz zostanie rozszerzony na pomadki, lakiery do paznokci i produkty do makijażu.

Ta decyzja jest częścią strategii Unii Europejskiej w walce z zanieczyszczeniem oraz w procesie przemiany ekologicznej. Komisja Europejska tłumaczy, że nowe przepisy mają zapobiec uwolnieniu do środowiska około pół miliona ton mikrocząstek plastiku. Mimo, że brokat stanowi stosunkowo niewielką część całkowitego zanieczyszczenia, jego eliminacja ma ogromne znaczenie. Virginijus Sinkevičius, komisarz ds. środowiska, oceanów i rybołówstwa argumentuje, że zakaz dodawania celowo mikrodrobin plastiku jest reakcją na poważne obawy dotyczące środowiska i zdrowia ludzkiego. Sinkevičius zwraca uwagę, że te materiały są już obecne w przyrodzie, a także w żywności i wodzie pitnej.

Zakaz nie obejmuje brokatu wykonanego z materiałów biodegradowalnych, organicznych lub rozpuszczalnych w wodzie.

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photo Mateusz Woźniak, MuFo

Can waste be the subject of photography? MUFO x Interzero collaboration

We avoid them because we don’t like seeing them. At the same time, we produce a lot of them every day. Even if we hide them very deep, waste makes itself felt. Can waste be the subject of photography? How to talk about dealing with waste in a wise, responsible and interesting way?

Interzero joins forces with the Museum of Photography in Krakow to talk about the idea of ​​a circular economy and the challenges associated with it. On this occasion, we will take photos to test the possibilities of photography as a visual way of talking about the problems of the modern world and raising awareness of environmental issues.

We will invite the recipients of our project to workshop and interpretive work, and we will present the results of all meetings in a publication that can also be used as a tool by educators.

The publication will be available at the beginning of 2024 on the following websites:

Home page – Museum of Photography in Krakow (mufo.krakow.pl)

Interzero – Interzero Polska

Home page – Eco Without Edges (ekobezkantow.pl)

Meetings and workshops will be led by:

Krzysztof Story – reporter of “Tygodnik Powszechny”. He writes about social issues and human relations with nature. Together with Wojciech Jagielski, he runs the Jagielski Story podcast about international events. He puts the beauty of nature above all others. He climbs, travels and collects photos of inscriptions on walls. Author of the book “From Here. 150 doors at one address. He also publishes photos and texts on www.krzysztofstory.pl

Dr. Rafa ł Siderski – visual artist dealing mainly with photography. He completed his doctoral studies at the Institute of Creative Photography in Opava. It is part of the Albom.pl initiative dealing with digitization and work on photographic archives. In 2019, he published the book “Wyjedź Stastań”, which was awarded in the Photographic Publication of the Year 2019 competition. In September 2021 together with Małgorzata Lebda, he took part in a literary-visual-poetic adventure “Reading Water: Vistula”, the materials from which were regularly published in Pismo Magazine. In August 2022 The material collected at that time was used to create the exhibition “Flow(s)”, which is a visual and literary interpretation of the relationship with the river during that adventure. In his free time he goes “somewhere” or is “somewhere”. He took part in numerous exhibitions in Poland (including Białystok, Rybnik, Poznań, Warsaw, Gliwice) and abroad (including Germany, the Czech Republic, Belarus, Italy, Lithuania and Japan). His works have received a number of awards and distinctions, and he received a scholarship from the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage (Culture online). From 2023, assistant at the Faculty of Photography and Creation of Visual Message at the Jan Długosz University in Częstochowa.

Monika Krysztofińska – cultural expert, project manager with experience in implementing alternative education. Creator of educational programs, workshops, lectures and exhibitions for children and adults. Initiator of projects focused on sustainable development in cultural institutions and private companies. A collector of information about technology, digital ecology, psychology, communication, and art. At Interzero, a member of the Ecological Education Team. It works at the intersection of sectors.

We invite you to follow our cooperation and read the details of the project:

Museum of Photography in Krakow – events (mufo.krakow.pl)

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Interzero Polska: My company | LinkedIn

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photo Mirosław Żak, MuFo

Interzero wins the German Sustainable Development Award 2024

A leader in the circular economy recognized for its commitment to building a world without waste: Interzero wins the German Sustainability Award 2024.

In recognition of its comprehensive commitment and pioneering “zero waste” solutions, Interzero will receive the German Sustainability Award 2024 in the “Waste Management and Recycling Industry” category. It honors outstanding achievements in sustainability in business, municipalities and research. The prize has been awarded annually since 2008. by the German Sustainability Award Foundation in cooperation with the German government, the German Council for Sustainable Development, leading municipal associations, business associations, civil society organizations and research institutions.

“We are very proud of this award,” said Dr. Axel Schweitzer, CEO and owner of Interzero. “It encourages us to continue our circular transformation efforts with great determination and passion (…). Together with our customers and partners, we want to achieve a truly sustainable and circular economy to better address the excessive burden on our planet. Thank you very much to our customers, partners and our team.”

The awards ceremony will take place on November 23, 2023. in Düsseldorf.

You can read more HERE .

Transforming waste into valuable raw materials – OMV and Interzero will build the largest chemical recycling sorting plant in Europe!

OMV, an energy, fuels and raw materials, chemicals and materials company based in Vienna, announced an investment decision to build an innovative sorting plant developed by Interzero * to produce raw materials for chemical recycling.

In total, OMV will invest over EUR 170 million in the construction of this state-of-the-art facility in Walldürn in southern Germany. OMV will hold 89.9 percent of the joint venture and 10.1 percent of the shares will be held by Interzero.

Production at the new plant is expected to start in 2026. The new plant will create approximately 120 new jobs. The cornerstone laying ceremony is scheduled for November 20, 2023, when guests from the world of politics are expected.

The sorting plant will be the first sorting plant of its kind producing raw materials for OMV chemical recycling on a large industrial scale. ReOil® technology developed and patented by OMV is a chemical recycling innovation that converts plastic waste that cannot be mechanically recycled into pyrolysis oil – a valuable raw material. The input to the sorting plant generally consists of a mixture of plastics that have not been suitable for recycling until now, especially those separately collected from the yellow bag and yellow bin recycling system in Germany.

Interzero operates five light packaging sorting plants in Germany and sorts approximately one third of Germany’s light packaging waste, amounting to over 800,000 tonnes per year. This means that the company currently has the largest sorting capacity in Europe and is a technology leader.

The collaboration between OMV and Interzero will ensure a supply of sustainable and high-quality raw materials for OMV’s chemical recycling, helping to close the plastic loop. The innovative, state-of-the-art sorting plant created by Interzero will be capable of processing 260,000 tons of mixed plastic waste per year, providing raw material for the production of primary polyolefins. This innovative sorting process will enable the recovery of a polyolefin-rich fraction from the waste stream that currently goes to thermal recycling. When it comes to the waste hierarchy, the focus is on plastic waste that is not suitable for mechanical recycling. Thanks to this, chemical recycling will not compete with mechanical recycling.

*Acting as ALBA Recycling in the sorting plant

Please read the press release in English HERE

Deposit on beverage packaging. What does the draft law establishing a deposit system in Poland look like?

The Sejm passed an act amending the Act on packaging and packaging waste management and certain other acts, which establishes the legal framework for the operation of the deposit system in Poland.

The Act assumes that all commercial entities offering products in packaging covered by the deposit system will be obliged to collect a deposit. However, each retail and wholesale entity with a sales area exceeding 200 m2, which will offer users products in packaging covered by the deposit system, will be obliged to collect empty packaging and packaging waste and to return the deposit.

Achieving the objectives of the Act requires an effective collection system based on a deposit system that will support entrepreneurs. The deposit-refund system will be created by an entity referred to in the Act as the “representing entity”, which will be established by entrepreneurs introducing packaged drinks covered by the deposit-refund system or by employers’ associations and chambers of commerce representing them. This entity will not only create the system, but will also be responsible for its operation. Entrepreneurs who do not establish such an entity will be able to join the created deposit system on equal terms. The Act allows for the operation of more than one deposit system.

More in the latest issue of Źródło magazine.

If you are a manufacturer, seller or distributor and join the deposit system, Interzero can support you in fulfilling your obligations related to it. More information can be found HERE and HERE .

Interzero at the POLECO 2023 Fair

Read the summary of our presence at the POLECO 2023 Fair, which took place on October 17-19 at the MTP pavilions in Poznań.

During this year’s Fair, Interzero presented Sielaff bottle dispensers, of which it is the exclusive distributor in Poland. Due to the establishment of a deposit system for single- and reusable beverage packaging in Poland, these devices may provide support in units obliged to collect packaging. We presented two models at POLECOe bottle dispenser from the SiCompact – 2020 XL and Eco M series. The devices allow for efficient and effective collection of returnable packaging, and thanks to their compact dimensions, they are perfect for facilities of various sizes. The devices enjoyed great interest, both from commercial entities (commercial chains, production plants) and local governments (municipalities), and even sports clubs.

If you want to know more about upcoming changes to the regulations, check out our page dedicated to the deposit system. The full range of Sielaff bottle dispensers is available at: our website: ekourzaczenia.interzero.pl/

Moreover, at our stand you could see the innovative Oklin GG-02 device. This small composter, which will fit in every office, was awarded the MTP Gold Medal. The award was received by the Director of the Commercial Department, Agata Ryś, and the Vice-President of the Management Board of Interzero, Paweł Lesiak. We also presented PEL BriteBin solar bins, which, thanks to the possibility of installing a Wi-Fi modem and customizing the branding of the device, can diversify spaces in municipalities and cities.

Thank you for visiting our stand and we invite you to see the photo report from this event.

Deposit system for reusable packaging? It’s possible with the Made4Loop service from Interzero!

The introduction of the Act of April 14, 2023 amending the regulations on the management of certain waste and the product fee results in a significant restriction of the trade in single-use plastic products. This amendment is a consequence of the implementation of the European Union directive of June 5, 2019, referred to as the SUP directive.

From July 1, 2024 entrepreneurs selling drinks in disposable cups will have to provide their customers with alternative packaging that will be more environmentally friendly and help reduce the amount of plastic waste. That’s why Interzero is introducing a new service – Made 4 Loop.

Looping is a unique solution that will help you implement sustainable, reusable and ecological alternatives to disposable cups and food packaging in your company. The Made4Loop model created by Interzero involves the use of reusable cups and packaging that customers rent for a deposit and then return in a deposit system. In this way, the packaging remains in a closed loop and is reused dozens, if not hundreds of times.

Get hassle-free implementation of your legal obligations. Create with us an individual design of cups and boxes tailored to your company’s offer. Reduce your carbon footprint and waste management costs!

You can read more about our new service HERE

What is the future of waste management? Will we drown in a waste tsunami?

What is certain is that the future of waste management will be shaped by many factors, including technological changes, changes in consumer culture, regulatory provisions and increased environmental awareness.

A waste-free economy is not only a vision of the future, but above all an environmental protection concept based on innovative ecological and economic solutions. This philosophy is closely related to the idea of ​​a circular economy. Its implementation requires transformation of the entire production process and expansion of the waste management system based on comprehensive education. It is necessary to take action in many areas, such as reducing the amount of waste generated, promoting conscious consumption and increasing the recovery and recycling of raw materials.

Required recycling rates are already increasing. Selected single-use plastic products are disappearing from the European market. According to the plan, recyclate will be obligatorily used in some packaging. All thanks to European regulations. This new circular economy architecture is still missing one important component, which is Extended Producer Responsibility.

How not to drown in the maze of new legal regulations prepared by Polish and EU specialists was discussed in the panel “Waste tsunami, how not to drown in packaging” , which took place on October 12 during the European Forum for New Ideas ( EFNI ). The panel included:

– Anna Grom , CEO, Interzero Polska and Interzero Circular Solutions Europe
– Dr. Katarzyna Baranska , head of the decarbonization team, partner at Osborne Clarke
– Joanna Leoniewska-Gogola, MBA , Deputy Director for Sustainable Development and Economics, Deloitte
– Piotr Romańczuk , Director of Environmental Protection, Maspex Group
– Robert Szyman , General Director, Polish Association of Plastics Processors

The European Forum for New Ideas is one of the largest conferences devoted to global trends, new ideas and the future of Europe. As Interzero, we try to constantly discuss with business representatives the challenges in the changing world and jointly shape the future that depends on us.

We would like to thank the organizers for the invitation and the panelists for the inspiring discussion. See you at EFNI 2023!