- The main goal of the Act is to prevent waste from single-use plastic products and limit their negative impact on the environment.
- The SUP Directive (Single Use Plastics), also known as the "Plastics Directive", is a European Union regulation that was passed in 2019. It is a response to the growing problem of plastic pollution.
On July 1, 2024, further changes related to the Act on the obligations of entrepreneurs regarding the management of certain waste and on the product fee, which implements the Single Use Plastics Directive, enter into force. The purpose of this act is to encourage consumers to use reusable packaging, said Deputy Minister Anita Sowińska during a press conference.
These activities promote a circular economy approach that gives priority to sustainable and reusable products and reuse systems over single-use products. This is primarily aimed at reducing the amount of waste generated.
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Caps permanently attached to bottles
Pursuant to the provisions of the Act, from July 1, 2024, those who introduce drinks in disposable plastic containers will be obliged to use caps and lids made of plastic, which will be permanently attached to them.
Leaving the cap on the bottle or carton and throwing the packaging into the yellow container is the most ecological solution. Unfortunately, instead of being recycled, caps often end up in landfills or incinerators. It is also one of the waste most often found on beaches. Meanwhile, caps are a valuable recyclable material. This is a truly systemic solution that actually improves the condition of the environment, said the deputy minister.
– Contrary to what some people say, caps permanently attached to bottles are a convenient solution that has long been used by, for example, the youngest. For many years, some children's juices and mineral waters have been packaged in bottles with a cap attached. If children can handle drinking from a bottle, there's no reason adults can't handle it, she added.
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Single and reusable packaging
Another change that enters into force on July 1 is the obligation for entrepreneurs to enable the purchase of a drink or meal in alternative, reusable packaging.
This may take various forms – the seller may, for example, switch to glassware or other durable materials, and at a concert drinks may be sold in plastic cups that can actually be used many times. Customers can also bring their own cup and avoid an additional fee of 20 cents. I encourage you to do this because it helps us save money and protect the environment, she said.
As explained by the deputy minister, from January 1, 2024, retail and wholesale trade entities, as well as catering and vending entities (e.g. automatic coffee machines at the station) are obliged to collect fees from consumers for the purchase of single-use products used for packaging food or beverages and fees for food and drinks packed in single-use packaging. The purchase fee for these items is:
- PLN 0.20 – for beverage cups, including their lids and caps;
- PLN 0.25 – for food containers, including containers such as boxes, with or without lids, used to place food in them.
The money from the fees will go to the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management, which means that it will be intended to support waste management conducted by municipalities, including, for example, investments in waste sorting plants and recycling lines – explained the deputy minister.
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What are the most important new obligations for processors and producers under the SUP Directive?
The most important obligations arising from the Act:
- ban on placing certain single-use plastic products on the market (entry into force from May 24, 2023), obligation to collect a fee for issuing single-use plastic packaging or food or drink offered in such packaging (entry into force from January 1, 2024) r.),
- the obligation to enable the purchase of a drink or meal in alternative reusable packaging (entering into force from January 1, 2024),
those introducing drinks in disposable plastic containers will be obliged to use caps and lids made of plastic, which will be permanently attached to them (entering into force from July 1, 2024), - obligation for entrepreneurs to enable the purchase of a drink or meal in alternative reusable packaging (entering into force from July 1, 2024).