On January 1, 2025, an amendment to the regulation of the Minister of Climate and Environment came into force, which significantly reduced the product fee rates for glass packaging collected under the deposit system. According to the new regulations, for each kilogram of reusable glass bottles, those introducing them will pay :

• PLN 0.01 (instead of PLN 0.10) in 2025,
• PLN 0.05 (instead of PLN 1) in 2026,
• PLN 0.25 (instead of PLN 5) in 2027 and subsequent years.

Let us recall that the previous regulations provided for uniform rates for all types of packaging covered by the deposit system. So what is the reason for this change?

The amendment to the regulation was intended to make the product fee rates more realistic . As emphasized in the justification for the draft of the new regulation, the weight of a glass bottle is many times higher than the weight of a PET bottle or a can of identical capacity. Based on the data cited by the Ministry of Climate and Environment, the weights of half-liter packages covered by the deposit system are as follows:

• PET bottle – 13 g,
• drinks can – 14 g,
• glass bottle – 315 g.

This means that per 1 kilogram of packaging there are:

• 77 PET bottles,
• 71 cans,
• only 3 glass bottles.

In line with the principle that it is the number of packages that litters, not their weight , the product fee rates for glass packaging have been significantly reduced.

Discover Interzero’s comprehensive services for deposit system participants >>

The reduction of the product fee for glass packaging was dictated not only by economic issues, but also by ecological ones. The use of reusable packaging has a positive impact on the environment and brings us closer to the realization of the idea of circular economy . The use of returnable glass bottles reduces the scale of production of new bottles, and thus reduces carbon dioxide emissions, electricity consumption and raw materials .

Maintaining the current, uniform product fee rates for all these types of packaging could cause those introducing them to abandon their use and replace “expensive” reusable glass with much “cheaper” single-use plastics. Giving up reusable glass bottles would be a step backwards, moving us further away from the transition to a circular economy.

See also:

• 9 miesięcy opóźnienia w systemie kaucyjnym. Co to oznacza dla branży opakowaniowej?
• Sielaff Bottle Machines – the best machines for the deposit system

Sources:

• Regulation of the Minister of Climate and Environment of 24 December 2024 amending the regulation on product fee rates for individual types of packaging, https://isap.sejm.gov.pl/isap.nsf/download.xsp/WDU20240001960/O/D20241960.pdf
• https://legislacja.rcl.gov.pl/projekt/12389300/katalog/13079739#13079739

According to the provisions of the amendment, from 1 January 2025, each commune is required to organise selective collection of textile waste , which includes, among others, used clothing and footwear, home textiles (bedding, curtains) and other fabric products. The minimum that local governments must ensure is the possibility of returning all textile waste to the local PSZOK . Currently, there are no plans to introduce an additional, sixth container intended exclusively for textile waste or to oblige communes to collect this fraction of waste from properties. However, communes have the freedom to organise additional methods of collecting textile waste , e.g. collecting it directly from households or creating additional collection points. Częstochowa has recently been testing a similar solution, which allows its residents to return textile waste free of charge after arranging a collection date by phone.

The introduction of the obligation to selectively collect textile waste results from the transposition into Polish law of the provisions of Directive 2008/98/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 November 2008 on waste and repealing certain directives. Article 11 paragraph 1 of the directive obliges all EU Member States to conduct selective collection of at least the following fractions: paper, metal, plastics, glass and textiles. The latter fraction is mandatory throughout the EU from 1 January 2025. Let us recall that the European Union is still working on the implementation of legislation to increase the effectiveness of textile waste collection and impose additional obligations on textile producers, known as the extended producer responsibility system. Under the provisions of the EPR, those introducing textiles are to be charged with the costs related to the collection, segregation and recycling of waste generated from them.

Selective collection of textile waste means new obligations not only for municipalities, but also for their residents. From the new year , it is prohibited to throw textiles into the mixed waste bin . Penalties for failure to comply with the new rules or for incorrect waste sorting can amount to 200 to 400% of the basic waste collection fee. It should be emphasized that these penalties are not one-off – if the residents of the property continue to fail to comply with the statutory obligations, financial penalties may also be charged in the following months. The mechanism for calculating such penalty fees is already well known to us – similar consequences will also be faced for incorrect sorting of other waste fractions for which there is an obligation to selectively collect (glass, metal and plastics, paper, bio-waste). Why do we remind you of this? Well, a study conducted by us in 2023 showed that only 62% of Poles segregate waste into all the required fractions, and even fewer, 43%, declare that they can do it correctly. You will find more conclusions in the report from the research We are getting into trouble .

Contrary to appearances, since January we are not obliged to return all used textiles to PSZOK. Used textiles in good condition can be donated to charities (e.g. PCK, Caritas, single mothers’ homes, homeless shelters) or thrown into a container for used clothing . Alternative textile collection points are also offered by their manufacturers , giving consumers the opportunity to return old clothes or shoes to their stores. In most cases, these can be products of any brand, which will then be recycled, upcycled or reintroduced to sale in second-hand stores. As representatives of the waste and recycling industry, we strongly encourage you to act in the spirit of our idea Together for a world without waste, which involves not only proper handling of textile waste, but also preventing its generation. How to do it? Discover 5 ways for ecological fashion and a sustainable wardrobe .

The change that will affect all entrepreneurs entered in the BDO register is the increase in the annual and registration fee . It is dictated by, among other things, the growing costs of maintaining, running and developing BDO.

From 2025 BDO fee rates will be:

• PLN 200 for micro-entrepreneurs (increase from PLN 100),
• PLN 800 for other entrepreneurs (increase from PLN 300).

Let us remind you that the deadline for paying the annual fee for a given calendar year expires at the end of February – in 2025 it will be February 28. The annual fee must be paid in the new amount by that date.

Learn more about BDO fee increases in 2025.

From 2025 an obligation to keep records of all hazardous waste generated by entrepreneurs will be introduced. This means that the previously applicable exemptions, which were eagerly used by entities generating small amounts of hazardous waste, will disappear . The obligation to keep records will cover hazardous waste with the following codes:

• 3 02 08* Other engine, gear and lubricating oils,
• 15 01 10* Packaging containing residues of or contaminated with hazardous substances,
• ex 15 01 11* Metal packaging containing hazardous porous reinforcements other than those of asbestos, including empty pressure containers,
• 16 02 13* Discarded equipment containing hazardous components other than those mentioned in 16 02 09 to 16 02 12,
• 16 06 03* Batteries containing mercury.

Do you produce such hazardous waste? Check if you need to register your company with BDO in 2025! Check if you need to register your company with BDO in 2025!

From January 2025, the obligation to segregate construction and demolition waste into 6 fractions will come into force . However, the latest change is the departure from the requirement to ensure the segregation of R&D waste at the place of its generation – the entrepreneur will be able to transfer the obligation to segregate it to another entity with appropriate permits and entries in the BDO, provided that an appropriate agreement is signed. In the previous version of the regulations, the legislator obliged every producer of construction and demolition waste to segregate it at source. As a result of the amendment to the Waste Act, the possibility of segregating waste outside the place of its generation was introduced, but without releasing the entrepreneur from the responsibility for ensuring the implementation of this obligation.

Learn about the new rules for managing construction and demolition waste in 2025.

In 2025. nie będzie możliwości wystawiania dokumentów DPR i EDPR w systemie BDO . Wprowadzenie Modułu Potwierdzeń, który miał pozwalać na cyfrowe generowanie tych dokumentów, zostało przesunięte na 1 stycznia 2027 r. Od tej daty przedsiębiorcy zyskają możliwość elektronicznego wystawiania DPRów i EDPRów dla opakowań i produktów oraz zaświadczeń dla sprzętu elektrycznego i elektronicznego oraz dla baterii i akumulatorów. W latach 2025-2026 dokumenty potwierdzające recykling nadal będą wystawiane w formie papierowej.

From 2025, the limits for spending funds from the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management for purposes related to the functioning of BDO will be raised . This is to ensure further, trouble-free access to BDO, as well as to maintain the current level of cybersecurity and finance the development of the system. Moreover, revenues from registration fees and annual fees for entry into BDO will be a direct income of NFOŚiGW.

Only 8% of independent introducers achieved the minimum statutory recycling levels in 2022 – according to the IOŚ-PIB report Packaging and packaging waste management in Poland in 2022. In the same period, recovery organizations achieved or even exceeded the annual recycling levels for all types of packaging waste.

Among the introducers who chose to independently ensure the recycling of packaging waste they generated, as many as 11,234 entities were required to achieve the required recycling levels , which in 2022 were:

• 30% for plastic waste,
• 51% for aluminum waste,
• 55% for ferrous metal waste,
• 66% for paper and cardboard waste,
• 62% for glass waste,
• 19% for wood waste,
• 59% for all above types of packaging waste combined.

Based on data from the BDO register, IOŚ-PIB experts calculated that only 8% of independent introducers achieved the minimum levels mentioned . The percentage of independent introducers who managed to meet the statutory minimum is shown in the graph below:

Source: Report on Packaging and Packaging Waste Management in Poland in 2022

At the opposite pole are recovery organizations that in 2022 achieved the statutory recycling levels for packaging waste made of metal, glass, paper and cardboard and exceeded the required recovery level for plastic packaging waste [and] .

Failure by the entrepreneur to achieve the statutory levels of packaging waste recycling results in the necessity to calculate and pay a product fee, which is a kind of environmental tax. In order to avoid the obligation to pay the fee, the entrepreneur can transfer to the recovery organization its obligation to recycle packaging waste generated from the packaging and products in packaging introduced by it. Thanks to this, the introducer pays only a fixed, low amount under the contract with the recovery organization and does not have to bother with ensuring waste recycling.

Calculate how much you can save on product fees >>

Interzero takes over recycling obligations from entrepreneurs in the scope of:

• packaging waste,
• batteries and accumulators,
• post-consumer products: tires, oils and lubricants,
• electrical and electronic equipment.

Thanks to this, every entrepreneur can comprehensively transfer to us all of their obligations resulting from the introduction of packaging and products to the market. Check what obligations your company is subject to! By signing one agreement, you will gain certainty that your company’s obligations to ensure statutory levels of recovery, recycling and preparation for reuse will be fulfilled.

[1] Packaging and packaging waste management in Poland in 2022, https://ios.edu.pl/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/gospodarka-opakowaniami-i-odpadami-opakowaniowymi-w-polsce-w-2022-r-2.pdf

Każdego roku w Polsce marnuje się ok. 4,5 mln ton żywności, a czego aż 60% w gospodarstwach domowych. Dlaczego? Najczęstszymi deklarowanymi przez respondentów przyczynami wyrzucania jedzenia są:

• upływ terminu przydatności do spożycia – 60%,
• zbyt duże zakupy – 26%,
• niewłaściwe przechowywanie – 26%,
• zakup niesmacznych produktów – 25%,
• zakup produktów złej jakości – 17%,
• zbyt duże porcje posiłków – 18%,
• brak pomysłu na wykorzystanie produktów – 10%[i].

Ilość wyrzucanego jedzenia drastycznie wzrasta w okresie świąteczno-noworocznym. Szacuje się, że w tym czasie jedzenie wyrzuca aż 83% osób. 24 grudnia został nawet nieoficjalnie obwołany Dniem Świątecznego Marnowania Żywności – tylko w Polsce do koszy trafia wtedy aż 9,2 tys. ton jedzenia[ii]! Czy można temu zaradzić?

Ze względów środowiskowych zachęcamy przede wszystkim do umiaru, który jest jednym z najważniejszych składników naszego przepisu na świąteczny spokój. Zakładamy jednak, że skoro tu trafiłeś, to właśnie zmagasz się z problemem zagospodarowania jedzenia po świętach i poszukujesz rozwiązania najlepszego dla siebie i natury rozwiązania.

Remedium na większość z tych problemów jest foodsharing, czyli dzielenie się żywnością. Ruch ten zachęca do oddawania nadmiaru jedzenia osobom, które chętnie przyjmą je i dosłownie uratują przed zmarnowaniem. Warunek jest tylko jeden – żywność musi być nadal zdatna do spożycia.

Jednym ze sposobów na świąteczny foodsharing jest skorzystanie z jadłodzielni, zwanych też lodówkami społecznymi. Jadłodzielnie to ogólnodostępne lodówki, szafki, a czasem też małe pomieszczenia, które umożliwiają wymianę jedzenia. Można w nich nie tylko pozostawić świeże produkty lub potrawy, ale też wziąć to, co na półkach pozostawili inni.

Co oddawać do jadłodzielni? Jedynie takie jedzenie, które sami byśmy zjedli. Co ważne, może być ono po terminie przydatności do spożycia – produkty suche i sypkie, konserwy, przyprawy, a czasem nawet prawidłowo przechowywany nabiał często nadają się do spożycia po upływie daty wskazanej na opakowaniu. Oddając jedzenie do jadłodzielni warto jednak przestrzegać kilku zasad:

• produkty powinny być umieszczone w czystym opakowaniu i szczelnie zamknięte,
• na domowych daniach należy umieścić karteczkę z ich składem i datą przygotowania,
• można pozostawiać produkty uprzednio otwarte, jednak powinno się wskazać datę ich otwarcia (głównie w przypadku jedzenia, które szybko się psuje),
• jeśli potrawa wymaga przechowywania w niskiej temperaturze, to należy bezwzględnie umieścić ją w lodówce!

Wbrew pozorom, jadłodzielnie nie są domeną dużych miast – znajdziesz je też w małych miejscowościach!

Zobacz ogólnopolską mapę jadłodzielni

Przejdź do mapy jadłodzielni w Warszawie

Nie widzisz tu swojej lokalizacji? Spróbuj wyszukać ją np. w internetowej wyszukiwarce – sieć jadłodzielni stale się rozrasta, więc w Twojej okolicy mogą funkcjonować punkty, których jeszcze nie oznaczono na mapie.

Food drives are not the only places where you can donate food after the holidays (and not only after the holidays). See where else you can share food!

• Food Banks

These are charitable institutions that accept any type of food and then distribute it to those in need. All food products (including perishable products, such as bread, dairy, meat, fruit and vegetables) can be donated to such a bank at least 2 days before their expiration date. There are 31 such banks in Poland. See the map of Food Banks .

• Facebook groups and local forums

Food sharing is also possible through social media and local groups, which you can find under the names:

• online food hall, foodsharing, freeganism,
• I will give it back, watch out, the garbage truck is coming (or simply: the garbage truck),
• we don’t waste food.

• Caritas Poland Branches

Caritas has long been actively working to help those in need, while also preventing food waste. Local Caritas branches often accept unnecessary food that has been sitting in the fridge, for example after the holidays or an event. It is worth contacting the nearest Caritas branch and donating food to them, which will then be given to those in need.

• Facilities for people in homelessness crisis

Surplus food from the holidays is also readily accepted by shelters and shelters for people in homelessness crisis. A list of all such facilities, divided by province, can be found on the website of the Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Policy .

Czasem jedzenie trzeba wyrzucić – jest zepsute, przesolone, przypalone, powodów może być mnóstwo. Warto jednak robić to z głową. Prawidłowo posortowane odpady ze stołu, lodówki lub kuchennej szafki można jeszcze poddać recyklingowi organicznemu, czyli kompostowaniu lub fermentacji.

Gdzie wyrzucić jedzenie? Większość żywności wyrzuca się do brązowego pojemnika na bioodpady. To właśnie do niego powinno trafić niepotrzebne, zepsute lub przeterminowane jedzenie, jednak z pewnymi wyjątkami. Resztki mięsa, wędlin oraz kości to odpady zmieszane, podobnie z resztą jak jajka, sery i inne produkty pochodzenia zwierzęcego. Bioodpadami nie są też zmieszane potrawy zawierające produkty odzwierzęce, np. sałatki lub sosy. Sprawdź, co wyrzucamy, a czego nie wyrzucamy do bioodpadów.

Alternatywą dla worka na bioodpady jest kompostownik: przydomowy, kuchenny lub elektryczny. Pozwala on zamienić bioodpady w naturalny i zupełnie darmowy nawóz do roślin, który może powstać już w 24 godziny! Takie możliwości stwarza chociażby kompostownik Oklin z linii Smart.

[i] Punkt zero recyklingu w Polsce, https://portalkomunalny.pl/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/raport-punkt-zero-recyklingu-w-polsce.pdf

[ii] Święta, święta i… do kosza. Wyrzucamy 1,6 kg świątecznego jedzenia na osobę, https://www.rp.pl/przemysl-spozywczy/art41538111-swieta-swieta-i-do-kosza-wyrzucamy-1-6-kg-swiatecznego-jedzenia-na-osobe

In the first part of the report “In the traps of reusability”, entitled “The curse of single-use plastic”, we will also read a lot about the eating habits of Poles: what they order most often, where and how they place orders (by phone, apps, in person), what they pay attention to when looking at the packaging offered to them, and what they think about reusable packaging. And these are just some of the conclusions from the qualitative and quantitative studies that were to help diagnose and describe the state of implementation of the directive on single-use plastics in Poland. The qualitative studies included interviews with 24 people, the quantitative CAWI studies were 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 edges

In “Eko bez kantów” we talk about ecology without bending the truth. We deal with myths, fake news and half-truths. Our goal is to explain why waste should be segregated, not just how to do it properly. “Eko bez kantów” was created from the belief that in a world full of disinformation and greenwashing, a reliable source of reliable information is needed. We cover topics such as sustainable development, recycling, circular economy and legislation related to waste management. We discuss the impact of packaging, batteries and electro-waste on the environment, as well as ways to reuse them as valuable resources.

Polish entrepreneurs selling products and packaging to Austria should be careful – since 1 January 2023, this country has introduced EPR regulations, which are the equivalent of the Polish EPR. They focus on 2 main issues: licensing of packaging and establishing an authorized representative in Austria. How to fulfill the obligations arising from EPR? We advise.

At the beginning of 2023, new Extended Producer Responsibility ( EPR) regulations came into force in Austria. They impose a number of environmental obligations on entrepreneurs selling products to Austria, the aim of which is to increase the level of recycling of packaging and product waste and to minimize the impact of entrepreneurs’ activities on the environment.

From 1 January 2023, entrepreneurs not established in Austria who introduce certain categories of packaging and products to the Austrian market must meet strict legal requirements . According to the Austrian EPR, every person introducing them is obliged to:

• registration with the Austrian Federal Environmental Agency (equivalent of the Polish entry in the BDO register),
• submitting periodic reports on the quantity or weight of introduced products and packaging,
• participation in the waste collection and recycling system in Austria,
• paying a license fee depending on the type and quantity of packaging or products introduced to the Austrian market.

Importantly, entrepreneurs cannot fulfil these obligations on their own – the lack of a registered office in Austria means that they must appoint an authorised representative in Austria (Bevollmächtigten), who will fulfil the obligations of the introducer on their behalf and be responsible for contacts with local authorities.

The obligations under the EPR apply to any company not based in Austria that sells the following product categories to Austrian customers :

• packaging, including product packaging, transport packaging and shipping packaging,
• electronic and electrical equipment (EEE),
• batteries and accumulators.

The new regulations apply to both entrepreneurs based in any EU country and those outside the EU. They are mainly aimed at companies that offer their products on sales platforms, e.g. eBay, Amazon, Zalando. The obligations of the introducer specified in the EPR regulations must therefore be fulfilled by:

• importers of packaged products, equipment and batteries and accumulators to the Austrian market,
• entrepreneurs selling packaging, packaged products, equipment and batteries directly to customers in Austria using their own online shops or online sales platforms.

The EPR does not provide for quantitative exemptions – the appointment of an authorised representative in Austria is the obligation of every introducer, even if he sells only a few products or packages covered by the EPR to Austria.

The Interzero Group has been providing professional, comprehensive environmental services to clients from every industry for over 30 years. We are present in 10 countries, including Austria, where we take over responsibilities from our clients, including licensing, waste management and recycling.

As an authorized representative of your company, we will take care of:

• registering your company with the appropriate offices,
• licensing of packaging introduced to the Austrian market,
• reporting , i.e. preparation and submission of all reports required by EPR regulations in Austria,
• ensuring the management of waste generated from packaging and products introduced by your company to the Austrian market,
• representing your company before the Austrian authorities in all matters relating to the introduced products or packaging.

By signing one contract, you will transfer to us all your obligations related to the introduction of packaging, electrical and electronic equipment as well as packaging and batteries to the Austrian market.

How do I appoint Interzero as an authorized representative of my company?

1. Register on our online portal and complete your company details.
2. Choose the scope of duties that we should perform on behalf of your company. Remember that packaging, electrical equipment and batteries can be covered by one contract.
3. Indicate the quantities/weights of packaging and products introduced to the Austrian market.
4. Follow the further instructions and confirm the contract.

Find out more about the authorised representative service and packaging licensing in Austria .

Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about appointing an authorized representative and licensing packaging in Austria.