The annual cost of operating a deposit system in Poland It may amount to about PLN 3 billion – said Krzysztof Gruszczyński, member of the Polish Chamber of Waste Management. In his opinion and the opinion of local state companies, the deposit system in Poland should be postponed.
On Tuesday, a discussion organized by the Law for Development Forum was held on the impact of the deposit system on the local government waste management system. Most of the participants in the discussion were in favor of postponing the launch of the deposit system in Poland. In their opinion, the regulations regarding Extended Producer Responsibility (ROP). According to the regulations, the deposit system is scheduled to start on January 1, 2025.
Part of waste recycling
Member of the Polish Chamber of Waste Management, Krzysztof Groszczyński, said this The deposit system will only slightly increase the level of waste recycling. This will concern only a small portion of the municipal waste generated annually in the country (13.5 million tons). He also explained that the deposit system for plastic bottles (PET) will be applied to 200,000. Tons of waste, i.e. only 1.5%. Total amount of waste.
He added that Currently, 100,000 items are recycled annually. Tons of PET bottles. In case Metal cans – added the PIGO representative – the system will cover about 80 thousand. Tone. The third element in the system will be reusable bottles.
The transcript continues below the video
According to Gruszczynski In the case of PET bottles, the deposits will increase the recycling of this waste by about 50-80 thousand. Tone, It ranges from 0.4 to 0.6 percent. Municipal waste mass. However, it also means that The system will increase the recycling of these bottles by 50-80%.
A PIGO representative noted this The currently required recycling levels for cans have already been metSo the deposits in this case will not matter much.
How was PLN 3 billion calculated?
Referring to data from consulting firm Deloitte in 2017, Gruszynski noted this The introduction of a deposit system in Poland alone will cost the economy between PLN 19 and 23 billion. The chamber member estimated the annual costs of operating the system at about one billion Polish zlotys. But this is not the only cost that must be taken into account in the entire waste management system regarding the launch of the deposit system.
— Can losses from the municipal system amount to about PLN 600 million, and PET bottles, the most profitable raw material, are estimated at between PLN 800 million and PLN 1.2 billion. The escape of DPRs amounts to another 300 million Polish zlotys (DPR is a document confirming the recycling of packaging waste). We are talking about 2 billion Polish zlotys that will come out of the municipal system and go into the deposit system. This system will [łącznie] At a cost of PLN 3 billionWe will all have to pay for it,” said the waste industry representative.
This statement shows that garbage collection costs will remain at the current level, and the revenue stream from previously collected waste, a valuable raw material, will decrease. In other words, we will have to pay an additional PLN 2 billion to collect waste at the national level, an additional PLN 1 billion to operate the system, and our income will be money for the returned bottles. However, there is no certainty that after deducting the deposit, we would pay less for the drink than we currently pay for deposit-free refills.
“Let the producers pay first.”
In his opinion, as well as in the opinion of representatives of local government companies, the Royal Oman Police Act should come into force first, and should only be supplemented by the deposit system. Extended producer responsibility is just that Those who place packaged products on the market have financial and regulatory responsibility for collecting the products throughout their life cycle.When it becomes waste.
They assumed that too Postponing the start of the deposit system. In other words, local governments want the costs to be borne by the manufacturer first, and only then by the local governments.
High garbage collection prices
Maciej Kellebus of the Polish Cities Association emphasized that although the deposit system will affect municipalities' recycling obligations, The most valuable will fall out of the waste stream.
He said that the system would not reduce waste-related costs borne by municipalities. He warned that there was danger The deposit system may also affect the amount of the trash fee Currently paid by residents.
“One recycling machine in the municipality will not solve the problem.”
Leszek Świętalski of the Association of Rural Municipalities of the Republic of Poland, referring to the provisions of the law, noted that the deposit system creates Obligation to collect a deposit when purchasing a drink, but not everywhere it will be possible to return it to the client.
Under the current law, it will be necessary to include large stores with an area of more than 200 square meters in the system, which will have to collect empty containers and return the deposit. Small enterprises will be able to participate in the scheme voluntarily, although they will have to collect a deposit. Światulski pointed out that there are no such large commercial enterprises in a quarter of municipalities in Poland. One recycling machine in the municipality will not solve the problem.
“You have to learn the system.”
Deputy Minister of Climate and Environment Anita Soyska stated that the Deposits Law will come into force in 2023, and that the system is “designed” to be launched at the beginning of 2025. According to a representative of the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, the system will not lead to chaos, but it will actually be necessary to learn how to Using it, the first year of deposit will be a transition period.
She stated that in the first year of operation, the deposit system will be implemented Reduced alternative fees (a form of penalty) for entrepreneurs. She also indicated that delaying the entry into force of the system may pose a potential risk to the state treasury from claims from business entities that are currently preparing for it. She stressed the need “not to talk about extending or postponing it, but rather about how to implement it effectively.”
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