Raw materials and circular economy

The richer we are, the more we consume. And the more we consume, the more waste we produce. It is already over 13 million tonnes of municipal waste annually. We need over 1.3 million garbage trucks to transport this amount. And what to do with this ballast later? Today, only a fraction of this stream is recyclable. Much waste has no value and is only suitable for incineration. Others will end up in a landfill, where they will decompose for decades, if not hundreds of years. This is a negative and worrying trend that we must break. Otherwise, our planet will turn into one huge garbage dump. But how to do it? The path has already been marked by the European Union, which focuses on the development of a circular economy. The so-called circular economy. Its premise is simple: extract as little new raw materials as possible (e.g. crude oil from which plastic is made), recover as much of them as possible and make them remain in circulation for as long as possible. The goal is ambitious and the way to achieve it is difficult. However, the implementation of circular economy will bring many benefits. And it's not just the planet. In the long run, it will also provide savings to companies, local governments and residents. Not to mention improving the cleanliness of the environment.

List of articles

The Reform of Extended Producer Responsibility, which will benefit Poland the most

The EPR of the producer means almost PLN 100 billion for the economy. Experts warn that the ministerial version of the EPR means taxes and risks. They emphasize that adding money itself will not solve numerous problems worrying the waste industry. Not only a comprehensive change in the rules of the game is needed, but also in the fees.

Data dodania: 07.06.2021 r.

It is time to reduce what we throw away and stop wasting resources

Decisive action is needed to decouple economic growth (and associated consumption) from growth in waste generation. This will be a challenge not only for Poland but also for the whole of Europe. Systems that reward the reuse of raw materials and the reduction of waste production must therefore be supported systematically – and as soon as possible – both in the household and in business.

Data dodania: 19.04.2021 r.

Unless we improve recycling, we will get bogged down in tonnes of waste

We need to stimulate the recycling industry, which has not had the chance to develop sufficiently due to negligible subsidies under the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme and the lack of ecodesign. Without strong support, the industry will not manage waste, move us further away from a circular economy, and make it impossible to meet the EU’s stringent targets.

Data dodania: 19.04.2021 r.

Extended producer responsibility is needed now

Poland must not only implement the new EPR model as soon as possible, but also ensure that the fees paid by business are adequate to meet the costs of processing the collected waste. The system must be transparent, reward eco-design, support recycling and stop the increase in the cost of the municipal system.

Data dodania: 19.04.2021 r.

Waste incineration – an (un)wanted but necessary element of the municipal system

Investment in new facilities for the thermal treatment of non-recyclable residual waste, although it is not an ideal or final solution, is necessary today to close the raw material cycle, reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill and curb some anomalies in the market.

Data dodania: 19.04.2021 r.

Security and deposit systems for packaging

The strict recycling targets for the coming years will not be achieved if a common security and deposit system for various packaging (not only PET bottles) is not introduced. We must develop a model of this system as soon as possible, considering the Polish conditions of the municipal economy, including population density, availability of retail outlets, and recycling capacity. Good practices that have worked well in other countries should be considered, as well.

Data dodania: 22.04.2021 r.

Responsibility for the environment is a pillar of good business

The circular economy is not only a catchphrase. For business, it is an opportunity for an innovative leap towards a green future in which we save resources and minimize our carbon footprint. It is companies that are at the forefront of implementing solutions that allow a "closing of the loop". Thanks to this, we reduce the waste of valuable resources throughout the entire supply chain from the producer to the end customer. And we are talking not only about the valuable waste that can be recycled and recovered from it, but also about energy and water.

Data dodania: 20.04.2021 r.

Żywiec Group: We give bottles a second life

The returnable bottle is the most environmentally friendly packaging in which beer is available. However, not all consumers are happy to reach for it and return it to the store. Żywiec Group decided to change this and in the last few years has brought the returnable bottles to life again.

Data dodania: 20.04.2021 r.

Mazovian Green Deal – towards circular economy

EU Green Deal is an economic development strategy of the European Union that aims to protect the environment, to fight against climate changes as well as to protect the lives of humans, animals and plants with simultaneous support for energy transition towards clean technologies and also to separate economic growth from the use of natural resources. According to the assumptions of the EU Green Deal, Europe is to become by 2050 the first climate neutral continent with net zero greenhouse gas emissions. To achieve that, it’s necessary for all Member States to contribute to the implementation of the assumptions of the European Green Deal, including, in particular, the transition to the circular economy.

Data dodania: 19.04.2021 r.

Circular economy – the principle pointing us to a greener future

Planet Earth is unbelievably precious. Not only are our resources finite and overused, poor infrastructures mean that manufactured plastic items, structurally resistant enough to last for centuries, are often only used once. Something isn’t working. The aims of recycling are honourable, but frameworks aren’t sophisticated enough to create a zero waste economy.

Data dodania: 20.04.2021 r.

The “Green Path” not only benefits the environment, but also companies

Environmental protection and innovation go hand in hand, and green solutions do not have to mean a loss of efficiency or increased costs. Quite the contrary, each optimisation of water and energy consumption, or re-use of raw materials translates not only into environmental benefits, but also into entrepreneurial opportunities and ultimately profits for businesses. By opting for such a turn towards a green future, a company not only reduces its carbon footprint, but also saves valuable resources.

Data dodania: 24.05.2021 r.