Poland waste policy dispute: illegal dumps and blocked PAYT reform

In the Polish municipalities of Przecław and Kurow, illegal waste dumps have persisted for years, contaminating protected ecosystems in the Lower Odra Valley. Local mayor Małgorzata Schwarz of Kołbaskowo has been criticised for inaction, despite legal tools that allow municipalities to intervene and impose fines.

Meanwhile, the national Ministry of Climate and Environment withdrew the optional “fifth method” that would let local governments charge residents by the weight of their waste (PAYT). The move halted the rollout of pay‑as‑you‑throw schemes, even as towns like Ciechanów successfully piloted QR‑coded smart bins that record each disposal and could support PAYT. Experts say the decision entrenches a system where low‑waste households subsidise higher‑waste ones and undermines Poland’s waste‑reduction goals.