Poland faces dispute over packaging waste responsibility reform

The Polish government, led by Donald Tusk, is facing opposition regarding a proposed bill on packaging and packaging waste. The Ministry of Climate and Environment aims to introduce Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) to ensure that producers cover a larger share of waste management costs, which currently fall heavily on municipalities and residents.

Producers and recovery organizations have expressed concerns over the proposed model, which they argue could lead to a state monopoly and a new packaging tax. Critics suggest the model resembles failed systems in Hungary and Croatia and argue it may not effectively incentivize eco-design.