Poland waste management fees rise amid deposit system impact

Municipalities in Poland are facing rising waste management costs, leading to increased fees for residents. Local authorities, such as the Staroźreby City Council, have implemented hikes due to rising transport and fuel costs, increasing waste volumes, and issues with fee collection.

Experts note that the implementation of the deposit return system has significantly impacted municipal finances. Data from the first half of 2026 indicates that municipal installations lost approximately 50% of their revenue from selling raw materials like aluminum cans and PET bottles, as these items are now diverted through the deposit system. Meanwhile, the cost of waste management in these facilities has risen by about 15%.

Local governments are calling for the implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR/ROP) legislation to shift some costs to manufacturers. However, reports suggest that the necessary EPR laws are unlikely to be passed before the end of the current Sejm term. In response to these financial pressures, political debates have emerged, including a proposal by the Konfederacja party to abolish the deposit system entirely, a move criticized by the Ministry of Climate and Environment as irresponsible and potentially harmful to the environment.