Legislation, investment and technology
The multi-day seminar covered a broad range of topics related to waste management. One of the main areas of discussion was recent developments in Polish environmental legislation in 2025 and 2026 and their significance for companies operating in the sector.
The workshop addressed changes in regulations concerning waste management inspections, investment processes for waste treatment plants and changes to the environmental impact assessment system. Current regulations governing the management of construction, food and textile waste were also discussed, along with ongoing work on BAT requirements for landfills.
The programme also covered technological topics and practical examples of completed projects, ranging from fermentation and composting to the modernisation of sorting infrastructure and options for managing residues from the thermal treatment of municipal waste.
Plastic sorting in the context of the deposit return system
An important part of the event was a presentation by Adam Jurkiewicz from Sutco Polska entitled “Plastic sorting in the context of the deposit return system”. The presentation focused on current changes in the management of packaging waste and their impact on the operation of sorting plants.
Our speaker addressed, among other topics, the costs associated with the system, required recycling targets and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR, known as ROP in Polish). He also outlined the key principles of the deposit return system and its potential impact on the waste streams entering sorting plants.
Another topic was how sorting plants can adapt to changes in the composition and volume of incoming material. In this context, the importance of well-designed technological processes and the modernisation of existing infrastructure was highlighted.
Site Zero in Motala as an example of advanced sorting
The presentation was complemented by the practical example of the Site Zero facility in Motala, Sweden, delivered by Sutco. The plant was presented as an example of advanced plastic sorting technologies and the ability to separate multiple material fractions for further recycling.
Experience gained from this project was used to illustrate technological solutions for plants that need to respond to changing requirements regarding the quality of recovered materials and recycling targets.
Sharing industry knowledge and experience
The workshop in Zakopane brought together legal, technological and investment-related topics, giving participants the opportunity to explore current challenges in waste management from different perspectives.
Discussions ranging from regulatory changes and the deposit return system to the modernisation of plants and new technologies demonstrated the wide range of factors currently influencing the design and operation of waste management infrastructure.
Sutco Polska’s participation in the event provided an opportunity to share the company’s expertise in sorting technology and exchange knowledge and experience with representatives from the industry, public administration and other market participants.