What is packaging waste?
Definition and origin
According to the definition in the Packaging and Packaging Waste Management Act, packaging waste is defined as packaging or packaging materials that are waste within the meaning of the Waste Act of 14 December 2012. It therefore includes all packaging that has been withdrawn from reuse (so-called post-consumer packaging) single-use and reusable packaging. An exception is post-production waste, which is classified in a separate category.
Packaging waste is therefore any packaging that (for various reasons) becomes unnecessary or unusable. This refers to both individual packaging, which is most often encountered by consumers, and bulk and transport packaging, which is mainly produced by businesses.
Types, examples and codes of packaging waste in Poland
The basic division of packaging waste includes waste from households (e.g. food packaging, household chemicals, shipping cartons) and waste generated on business premises, which we will focus on in this text.
A further division results from the classification proposed by the legislator, namely the waste catalogue. According to the provisions of the catalogue, packaging waste is divided into:
- paper and cardboard packaging - waste code 15 01 01
- plastic packaging - waste code 15 01 02
- wood packaging waste code 15 01 03
- metal packaging - waste code 15 01 04
- multi-material packaging - waste code 15 01 05
- mixed packaging waste - waste code 15 01 06
- glass packaging - waste code 15 01 07
- textile packaging - waste code 15 01 09
- packaging containing residues of or contaminated by dangerous substances - waste code 15 01 10*.
- metal packaging containing hazardous porous structural reinforcement elements, including empty pressure containers - waste code 15 01 11*.
The latter two types of packaging waste are also hazardous waste.
Rules for handling packaging waste in the company
Every entrepreneur who generates packaging waste has an obligation to recycle packaging of the same type in the quantities specified by the Act. This obligation can be carried out with the company's own resources or entrusted to a packaging recovery organisation. Due to the numerous advantages, many companies choose to entrust the obligation and recycling to an external company. In this case, it is necessary to conclude a written contract transferring the entire recycling obligation for all packaging placed on the market before the entrepreneur.
Entrepreneurs who do not ensure (either on their own or with the help of a recovery organisation) the statutory recycling levels for packaging waste are required to pay a product fee.
Managing packaging waste within a company is not just the domain of entrepreneurs who place packaged products on the market. Many companies face on a daily basis the problem of managing packaging waste generated on the premises of the company, e.g. in a production facility. It is worth mentioning that every entrepreneur is also obliged to sort packaging waste at the place of its origin (e.g. at the production site), which facilitates its further management.
Depending on the size and needs of the company, such generated packaging waste can be sorted with the help of, among other things:
- two-wheeled containers with a capacity of 120 l to 360 l,
- four-wheel bins with a capacity of 660 litres to 1,100 litres,
- covered and open containers with a capacity of 2.5 m3 to 36 m3,
- press containers with a capacity of 5m3 to 24m3.
All of these containers facilitate the sorting and pre-storage of packaging waste within the company and greatly simplify its further transport and environmentalism.
Packaging waste vs BDO - when does a business need to keep waste records?
The mere fact that an entrepreneur generates packaging waste does not yet mean that the company must be registered in the BDO register. The following, for example, are exempt from this obligation:
- companies that generate waste (including packaging) of a municipal nature and are covered by the municipal waste collection system,
- small enterprises generating small amounts of waste (below the limit set by the legislator).
Any business that is required to register with BDO must also comply with a number of other obligations:
- create Waste Transfer Cards necessary for the collection of packaging waste from the company's headquarters or branch office (in consultation with waste transporters),
- correct the KPO if errors or inconsistencies in the data are found,
- keep electronic records of individual types of waste on an ongoing basis in the form of a Waste Record Card in BDO (not applicable to companies that keep simplified records),
- submit an annual report on waste generated and waste management, based on the KEO for the entire previous calendar year.
How do you organise the collection of packaging waste from your company?
Collection of packaging waste can be organised in several ways. The first is to order a collection service each time the bins and containers for the various types of waste are full. The second, somewhat simpler, is to sign a long-term contract with a company that provides waste logistics services and takes over the recycling obligation (e.g. a packaging recovery organisation).
In the case of entrepreneurs generating significant amounts of packaging, it can be advantageous to purchase a packaging waste compression device, such as a compactor container, which, when full, automatically orders waste collection. Advanced devices connected to the company's waste management system not only autonomously order waste collection, but also issue KPOs, relieving the employees responsible for waste management in the company. Such functionality is available within the Interzero Waste Platform.
Packaging waste management as simple as never before
Managing a company's waste management requires the coordination of a number of activities: ordering transports and collections of packaging waste, generating KPOs each time, keeping up-to-date waste records in BDO and ensuring the circulation of financial and environmental documents. All these tasks can be carried out in one centralised location - the Interzero Waste Platform.
The Interzero Waste Platform is an intuitive digital tool that enables comprehensive management of a company's waste management from anywhere. It is integrated with BDO, which eliminates the need to log into the government system and speeds up and automates packaging waste record-keeping.
With the implementation of the Interzero Waste Platform in your company:
- you will reduce to a minimum the time spent on bureaucratic duties: issuing KPOs, maintaining KEOs or creating internal reports,
- order waste collections in advance - with just one click,
- create a collection schedule for packaging waste,
you will forget about manually creating a KPO - when you declare receipt, the KPO will be generated automatically, - you gain permanent control over your waste management costs,
you configure the compactor to autonomously order waste collection and issue KPOs, - You will receive reminders about upcoming waste collections and municipal waste management fees,
- you will standardise your packaging waste management processes across all divisions of your company.
Interzero's Digital Waste Platform will improve waste management for any company, regardless of size, industry or volume of waste generated. The modular design of the tool allows you to adapt it to the specific needs of your company and make modifications as your business grows. You can test the Interzero Waste Platform free of charge for up to 3 months. During this time, you will receive access to all the functionalities of the tool, as well as ongoing support from an Interzero expert who will train your employees and help you implement the Platform in your company.
