Polish Draft Law Could Create State Monopoly Over Packaging Waste

A revised draft of Poland’s packaging and waste legislation would shift the current extended producer responsibility (ROP) system from a market‑driven model to a centrally managed state monopoly. Business groups, including the Confederation Lewiatan, warn that the proposal could trigger uncontrolled food‑price increases and strain municipal finances. They argue the plan conflicts with EU waste‑directive requirements and the upcoming EU Circular Economy Act, which favour competitive, transparent producer‑responsibility schemes. Piotr Mazurek of Lewiatan noted that the draft “still assumes centralisation and nationalisation of the system,” and that it would reduce producers to mere fee‑payers without influence over recycling targets or fund allocation. Critics call for modernising the existing ROP framework through stronger producer accountability and market competition rather than state control.