The new draft law on packaging and packaging waste envisages a real transfer of waste management costs to producers, in line with the “polluter pays” principle. This means a reduced financial burden for municipalities and residents and greater responsibility for companies that market packaging. The packaging fee will be very low – in the first year, it will amount to a maximum of half a grosz per package, and full implementation of the system in 2028 will increase the cost to only a few groszy. A two-year transition period will be introduced – municipalities will begin receiving funds from producers in 2026, and the system will be fully operational in 2028.

Thanks to the new regulations, local governments will receive additional funding for collection and recycling, which will stabilize and, in the future, potentially reduce waste collection fees for residents. The law will encourage producers to reduce the weight of packaging and use more easily recycled materials. The EPR system will support local waste collection systems and facilitate municipalities’ achievement of EU recycling targets. The project is based primarily on the proven Czech model, avoiding the flaws of the Hungarian solutions. The act is scheduled to be published in the Journal of Laws in the fourth quarter of 2025.

More information: https://www.gov.pl/web/klimat/projekt-ustawy-o-opakowaniach-i-odpadach-opakowaniowych-uc100–droga-do-zmniejszenia-ilosci-odpadow