PACKAGING WASTE MANAGEMENT IN A CIRCULAR ECONOMY IN POLAND
PACKAGING WASTE MANAGEMENT IN A CIRCULAR ECONOMY IN POLAND

Summary/Abstract: The article examines the issue of packaging waste management in Poland in the conditions of a circular economy, which requires the implementation of stringent EU requirements for waste recycling. The aim of the article is to demonstrate the need for municipalities to participate in the packaging waste management system as owners of municipal waste. Taking into account the participation of municipalities in the research is a new aspect of the analysis of the waste management system in relation to EU and global research. The research methods used in the research included: analysis of legal acts regulating the functioning of the packaging and packaging waste management system, review of source materials, including expert opinions of waste industry specialists and non-governmental organizations, opinions of councilors and local government advisors, review of articles from the national, regional and local government. In addition to the analysis method, an observational method documented with photos of types of packaging and approaches to implementing the packaging circulation system was used. Subsequent government legislative initiatives undertaken to regulate producer responsibility for packaging recycling were analyzed, initially concerning partial responsibility and then extended responsibility (EPR). The final conclusions demonstrate the need for municipalities to participate in the packaging waste management system that includes extended producer responsibility. The need for fair legislative solutions for all entities operating in packaging waste management was pointed out. It was shown that the implementation of the EPR system will change the entire existing national municipal waste management system and will affect not only the functioning of the packaging industry but also other important areas of the national economy, such as trade and transport.

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