Waste - Why care? (Poland)

Waste is created at every stage of human activity, and the waste quantity and composition is largely determined by the lifestyle of the society and the economy generating it. Over the long term, waste management in Poland has faced problems which need to be consistently resolved.

Disposal of large quantities of biodegradable municipal waste into landfills, along with other biodegradable waste, results in the landfill becoming a major source of emissions of methane, one of the most dangerous greenhouse gases.

Failure to use waste of plant and animal origin as renewable energy sources, particularly as substitutes for fossil fuels, will slow down Poland’s progress towards achieving its renewable energy targets.

Despite growing environmental awareness in general public, old views still predominate in some areas (e.g. with regard to the serious threat to the environment and to human health of thermal waste management methods), which makes it difficult to place new investments.