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Environmental education and public educational campaigns – Interzero report for 2023

As Interzero Packaging Recovery Organization SA and Interzero Electrical and Electronic Equipment Recovery Organization SA, we carry out educational campaigns for entrepreneurs who have entrusted us with their obligation to recover packaging as part of the statutory obligation. We invite you to read the report of our educational activities in 2023.

In 2023, we were actively involved in the implementation of educational projects and campaigns addressed to both children and youth, as well as adults, including entrepreneurs and consumers.

• As part of the Eco no edges project, we educate Poles in the field of ecology, environmental protection and waste segregation. We have produced 7 podcast episodes (also available on Apple Podcasts , YouTube and Spotify ) and have also managed to gather a wide reach on our social media profiles on Facebook and Instagram .
• EcoPaka , i.e. educational materials for schools, containing lesson plans, coloring books, games and art materials related to raw materials, were sent to 120 kindergartens that were most active in the local government’s Bicycle May campaign.
• We have also prepared our own educational game ‘Action-faction!’ , which teaches children and adults about proper waste segregation in an accessible way. The game was available at events supported by Interzero.
• As part of cooperation with the Mama Projekt collective, we became a substantive patron of one of the rooms of the newly opened Punkt Zwrotny educational center at ul. Jagiellońska 88 in Warsaw, where children and teenagers learn the secrets of fast fashion and learn about packaging. We also support the traveling exhibition EkoExperymentarium , which was visited live by over 13,000 people last year alone. visitors and 499 thousand online players.
• Together with the Museum of Photography in Krakow, we implemented it project “Closed circuit. “Waste in photography”, based on journalism and photography workshops, and together with UNEP/GRID-Warszawa – a series of workshops in the Royal Łazienki Park and an exhibition of 10 collages encouraging to reduce the amount of waste. The exhibition can be rented via the Spółdzielnia portal.
• We also organized many attractions during the next edition of the Zero Waste Fair , and we substantively supported three thematic days in the Preschooler’s Calendar program run by the To Proste Foundation and Intersnack in the “Don’t throw away, use” program.
• Once again, together with UNEP/GRID-Warszawa and the Czepczyński Family Foundation, we became a partner of the educational program implemented by the Maspex group , Kubusiowi friends of nature , which has been operating for 16 years and has reached 10 million children.

As part of the educational activities of entrepreneurs, Interzero has prepared 8 online training courses in the field of reporting, changes dictated by the transposition of the SUP directive or waste management, as well as other training courses available on the Interzero Academy platform. The 10th anniversary edition of the Interzero Environmental Conference was also held, for the first time in an open format, where we focused mainly on SUP and the establishment of a deposit system. Our experts have appeared in debates and other publications from such titles as Forbes, MyCompany and Rzeczpospolita, as well as in industry magazines (Teraz Środowisko).

We encourage you to read the details of the report HERE .

Big changes in the German deposit system!

From January 1, 2024, the German Pfandsystem also covers selected bottles of milk and similar drinks.

The German deposit system (Pfandsystem) has been in operation for almost 20 years and covers plastic bottles, aluminum cans and glass bottles. From January 1, 2024, it covers another group of packaging – from now on, German stores will charge a deposit of €0.25 for bottles of milk and similar drinks with a capacity above 0.1 L.

The new deposit includes, among others:

• Milk bottles;
• Milk-based beverage bottles;
• Bottles of cocoa and coffee drinks with milk content above 50%;
• Bottles of drinking yogurt and kefir.

New regulations have been introduced by the largest German supermarkets. In its current form, the deposit system in Germany covers almost all non-returnable drinks in bottles and cans.

The Polish deposit system for returnable packaging will start in 2025. The deposit obligation will apply to single-use plastic bottles for drinks with a capacity of up to 3 L, reusable glass bottles for drinks with a capacity of up to 1.5 L, and metal packaging for drinks with a capacity of up to 1 L. Interzero together with Polish Chamber of Recovery and Recycling of Packaging will create a deposit system – read more HERE.

Ecological shopping space in the Janki Shopping Center

Taking care of ecological urban space is important for many reasons. First, such places attract huge numbers of people every day, which means that even small changes can have a large impact on the environment. The implementation of modern solutions, e.g. in a shopping center, may contribute to improving the level of waste segregation, increasing the ecological awareness of visitors to a given place, and will result in savings and lower operating costs of the building and its surroundings.

Public education plays a key role in promoting green practices. Shopping malls are a great place to impart knowledge about environmental protection and the benefits of an eco-friendly lifestyle. Through information campaigns, educational events and practical examples, you can effectively raise awareness and encourage visitors to make more informed consumer decisions.

ESG, i.e. Environmental, Social, and Governance, is not only declarations regarding social and ecological responsibility, but finally specific and measurable actions. Increased pro-environmental activities can be noticed in various sectors of the economy, also in larger shopping facilities such as the Janki Shopping Center.

The facility uses a number of solutions and investments that ultimately contribute to reducing the carbon footprint, saving resources and educating the public.

The retail space has been designed in the #zerowaste spirit – the building offers various eco-devices, including: bicycle chargers, or solutions provided by Interzero – a bottle dispenser , a self-sorting bin and a solar bin . The center’s authorities also took care of the green areas around the building – insect houses and composters were used to maintain the biosystem.

As Interzero, we are very happy about initiatives that have a positive impact on our planet. We hope that other facilities of this type in our country will also work on ecological retail space.

You can read more about the sustainable solutions used in the Janki Shopping Center in the article at the link: HERE

Check what eco-devices can be useful in your commercial space!

Did you know that e-cigarettes may soon be banned?

According to a study conducted by the Institute of Economic Planning and Analysis (IPAG) on the sale of e-cigarettes, over 100 million disposable e-cigarettes were sold in Poland in 2023. At the same time, according to an article published in The Lancet, e-cigarettes pose an increasing challenge to our environment. The first problem is the generation of a significant amount of plastic, especially in the case of cartridges that are intended for single use and are made of hard-to-degrade plastics.

The second problem is electronic waste. Research conducted by the Material Focus organization has shown that in the UK alone, 1.3 million such devices end up in landfill every week, even though they should be sent to e-waste collection points. Improper disposal of batteries and other components may lead to fires and environmental pollution.

Nicotine is also a problem, not only because it is addictive, but also because it is considered hazardous waste in some countries. Therefore, plastic containers in which liquids and e-cigarette cartridges are stored cannot be recycled.

At the end of January, the British government announced its plan to ban the sale of disposable electronic cigarettes, which will have a positive effect not only on the environment, but also on the health of the entire society. Last week, the Polish Deputy Minister of Health also announced that the possibility of a complete ban on the sale of e-cigarettes is being considered.

Source: https://www.pap.pl/aktualnosci/e-cigarettey-najlepsze-szkodliwym-dla-srodowiska-produktem-jaki-cześni-powstal , https://next.gazeta.pl/next/7,151003, 30672748,there will be a total ban on the sale of e-cigarettes-resort-zdrowie.html .

Amendment to the regulations implementing the deposit system in Poland and changes in waste management

On February 14, a press conference was held during which the Deputy Minister of Climate and Environment, Anita Sowińska, talked more about waste management solutions, changes in the BDO system, as well as about the planned implementation from 2025. deposit system.

During the event, the Deputy Minister emphasized that the deposit system, as assumed, would be launched at the beginning of 2025, but we can expect amendments regarding the system operators. The representative of the ministry emphasized that these changes would only be “technical”. This will concern obligations and documents submitted to control the system.

On March 5, there will be a consultation meeting with the industry, local government officials and trade representatives regarding changes to the Deposit Act. The deputy minister added that the deposit system, although it will start on January 1, 2025, “may happen that it will not be perfect from the very beginning, because the act requires some adjustments.”

The deputy minister also informed about planned changes in the BDO system . The modernization will respond to the main needs of users of this system. The changes will include, among others: development of the Report Module and introduction of new functionalities in the Account Management Module.

The expanded composition of the Advisory Team was also presented to the participants of the press conference in the field of waste management solutions. The advisory staff will include: Konfederacja Lewiatan, UNEP/GRID-Warsaw, Institute of Innovation and Responsible Development INNOWO, Polish Chamber of Waste Management, Polish Recycling Association and the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management and more representatives of entrepreneurs, mainly from recycling industry, as well as non-governmental organizations and institutes.

Source:
https://zielona.interia.pl/smieci-plastik/news-system-kaucyjny-nie-ruszyl-a-juz-ma-byc-poprawka-wiceministr,nId,7335652#google_vignette
https://www.gov.pl/web/klimat/wiceministra-anita-sowinska-o-rozwiazaniach-w-zakresie-gospodarki-odpadami

Video: Dziennik Gazeta Prawna

As Interzero, we are happy to take part in debates and meetings with the ministry and industry representatives in order to better clarify our mutual needs and discuss current legal changes. We encourage you to read the summary of the debate “The deposit is already a year away and the system is in its infancy” on Dziennik Gazeta Prawna HERE , Where Paweł Sosnowski, Management Board Representative for Environmental Regulations with Interzero had the opportunity to discuss issues related to the deposit system together with: Andrzej Gantner, Vice-President and General Director at the Polish Federation of Food Producers Association of Employers, Anita Sowińska, Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Climate and Environment, Joanna Kasowska, Director of Quality and Food Management Standards , Żabka Group; Filip Piotrowski, Climate Leadership, UNEP/GRID-Warszawa; Anna Larsson, Director of Implementation of circular economy models, Reloop Platform.

New Interzero report “Between plus and minus”

On the occasion of Battery Day, as part of the Eco no edges campaign, we are publishing a research report “Between plus and minus – what do Poles know about batteries and how do they deal with their segregation?” . The results are surprising. Despite being aware of the obligation to selectively collect waste, many of us still do not fulfill it. Poles perceive batteries as harmful both during production and storage. They also considered recycling dangerous for the environment. Despite many fears about batteries, we do not think about the power source in our devices.

Never before in history have we produced and consumed so many batteries. According to McKinsey & Company forecasts, their market will grow at a rate of 25% annually, and in the case of lithium-ion cells it may reach 30% annual growth by 2030. This demand is fueled, among others, by: through the development of portable digital technologies, energy banks and electromobility. With this dynamic progress in the battery industry, the question arises about the future of the management of this new waste.

In our latest study entitled ” Between plus and minus” we asked about Poles’ habits regarding selective waste collection, including hazardous waste. We also wanted to know their motivations and beliefs regarding battery recycling. What is positive is the fact that in the declarations a significant part of the respondents know how to properly deal with used batteries. However, serious doubts arise when it comes to more specific questions. What draws attention is the lack of knowledge about the benefits of recycling batteries and concerns about the harmfulness of this process. The fragility of supply chains and limited resources of raw materials in the European Union mean that we should treat used batteries and accumulators as strategic resources. The lithium, nickel, manganese and graphite present in the cells are of critical importance. Obtaining these elements, regardless of the sources, is expensive and risky, and replacing them in technologies at this stage of development seems simply impossible. The importance of recycling in this context is therefore both an action to protect the environment and ensure Europe’s raw material security.

The report “Between plus and minus” also surprises the group of young adults who turned out to be less prone to ecological behavior than older ones. Respondents under 35 years of age not only segregate waste less often, but also more often doubt the sense of processing secondary raw materials. The answers of this group should particularly stimulate reflection on the effectiveness of current educational and legislative activities.

You can find out more in the press release HERE.

Entrepreneur! Remember about the annual BDO fee!

February 29 is the deadline for paying the annual fee for entry into the BDO in the amount of PLN 100 (micro-entrepreneurs) or PLN 300 (entrepreneurs other than micro-entrepreneurs). The fee should be paid to the account of the marshal’s office competent for the company’s registered office or place of residence.

Failure to pay the fee will result in removal from the Database on Products, Packaging and Waste Management (BDO) , and the business activity will be subject to a high financial penalty!

Entrepreneurs are subject to registration and annual fees:

• introducing electrical and electronic equipment and authorized representatives,
• introducing batteries or accumulators,
• introducing vehicles,
• producer, importer and intra-Community buyer of packaging,
• introducing products in packaging into the territory of the country,
• introducing tires into the territory of the country,
• introducing lubricating oils into the territory of the country.

Are you looking for support during the reporting period ?

Watch the free Interzero webinar “Everything you need to know about BDO”

More training at a favorable price can be found HERE

How do we perceive… waste? A few words about the “Closed circuit. “Waste in photography”

Waste is substances or objects that people dispose of because they consider them unnecessary, used or dangerous. These may include, for example, food leftovers, packaging, used batteries, chemicals or used electronic equipment. The emotions they arouse in people can be diverse and depend on many factors, such as ecological awareness, level of education or culture.

Today we are talking about the inevitable need for change and the effects of human activity in the areas of energy, agriculture, production, consumption and waste management. Each of these topics is urgent, and our time is becoming increasingly limited.

As environmental educators , we face serious challenges. We must not only convey knowledge, but also influence the emotions of our recipients. This requires reflection, understanding and care for the participants of the educational process. Our work must be effective. Building social awareness is a process in which it is worth experimenting and engaging various groups of people and various topics.

As Interzero, representing the business sector, we decided to implement a project with the Museum of Photography in Krakow “Closed circuit. “Waste in photography”. The project included a series of meetings that would result in the creation of photographs and texts freely referring to the topic of waste.

We would like to thank Maria Masternak and Anna Sidorska from the Museum of Photography in Krakow, the workshop leaders Rafał Siderski and Krzysztof Story, all participants and our Project Manager Monika Krysztofińska.

We are extremely impressed with the results of this project. We are glad that the issue of waste is important not only for us, but also for a wider group of communities who believe that by working together, we can achieve a lot of good.

More information about the project can be found in the publication on Eko Bez Kantów : HERE

Photo Mateusz Woźniak, Magdalena Niezabitowska Krogulec, Tomasz Orłowski, Marta Wróblewska

Did you know that one of the European countries can benefit 100 percent? from renewable energy by 2025?

Since March 2016, no coal-fired power stations have been operating in Scotland. Then the Longannet power station, located north-west of Edinburgh, which had been operating since 1973, was closed. This means that after 115 years, Scotland has stopped generating electricity from burning coal.

Statistics show that the share of renewable energy in Scotland’s total electricity consumption was 97.4%. in 2022, while a year earlier it was 90.1%. Scotland owes this result primarily to the development of onshore wind farms, which provided approximately 70%. green energy in the country. The remaining 30 percent provided offshore wind farms and hydroelectric power plants.

Scottish Renewables, the renewable energy industry association in Scotland, highlights how much progress has been achieved over the last decade. In 2011, the share of energy from renewable sources in the overall energy balance was only 37%.

The latest data shows that Scotland can benefit from 100%. from renewable energy by 2025 and even start transporting the surplus to other countries.

Plans include the installation and commissioning of a new wind farm of 60 SG 14-222 DD turbines for Moray West, an offshore wind farm owned by Ocean Winds, located off the coast of north-east Scotland in 2024. Each turbine will have an individual power of 14.7 MW; At the moment, it is the most powerful wind turbine ever created. Currently, Scotland is close to achieving the goal of full use of energy from renewable sources in the national electricity sector, and by 2030 the Scottish authorities plan to achieve a 50% share of renewable energy in the total consumption of electricity, heat and transport. The long-term goal is to achieve almost complete decarbonization by 2050.

Source: https://www.gospodarkamorska.pl/najpotezniej-na-swiecie-turbina-wiatrowa-zadebiutuje-u-wybrzezy-szkocji-64998 .

Made4Loop – the answer to the new SUP responsibilities

Although the era of free disposable cups is slowly coming to an end, the changes do not have to mean a chaotic revolution in the company.

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. This change aims to reduce the amount of plastic waste and is one of the most controversial legislative moves regarding environmental protection in recent years. Although for many it may seem like just another legal and office formality, business owners may lose sleep because it means the need to take decisive action and look for effective solutions.

Therefore, entrepreneurs may consider introducing reusable packaging or packaging made of other materials, including oxo-degradable plastics. Alternatively, they may decide to introduce a deposit system for reusable packaging, which would allow them to be returned and reused.

That is why the Interzero service was created, based on a deposit system for reusable packaging. The Made4Loop model involves the use of reusable cups and packaging, which customers rent for a deposit and then return via a deposit system. In this way, the packaging remains in a closed loop and is reused dozens, if not hundreds of times.

You can find out more in the press release HERE

We would like to remind you that on February 22 there will be a webinar during which Zbigniew Skowronek himself will talk more about the Made4Loop service from Interzero. Registration at the link HERE