Listen to the expert's comment:
The appeal was signed by entrepreneurs from the Leviathan Confederation representing companies producing packaging, marketing products, retail trade and packaging recovery organisations and recyclers.
The acquisition and distribution by the NFOŚiGW of the money paid from the product charges paid by those introducing packaging products leads to centralisation and a state monopoly – contrary to existing European regulations. This means an increase in the prices of primary products and a deterioration in the quality of recycling and waste management.
ROP as a key tool – but in a marketplace model
Both EU and national regulations impose on producers introducing packaging products the work to bear the costs associated with the disposal of waste of these packagings. The companies associated with the Leviathan Confederation do not run distant from these obligations and are prepared to take over this work and effectively support recycling. However, the proposal to centralise funds in the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management raises serious doubts as to the transparency and effectiveness of specified a solution.
– The introduction of a state operator would mean a deficiency of transparency, advanced administrative costs and little efficiency of the system. However, wherever the operator is simply a private operator, the situation is completely different. It is possible to control all gold spent, and the funds go where they truly improve the selective collection and recycling levels of packaging," emphasises Piotr Mazurek, an expert on the circular economy of the Leviathan Confederation.
European experience shows the risks of centralisation
Market-based systems accomplish better recycling results than centrally managed ones. For example, in Belgium and the Czech Republic, which have based their strategy on private entities, any of the best results in Europe are achieved, while national models, specified as Hungary and Croatia, are importantly little effective (as appropriate). 44% and 52% – EUROSTAT figures for 2022) and far from the European average About 65%.
Entrepreneurs fear that Poland, alternatively of drawing inspiration from effective marketplace solutions, can repeat the mistakes of the countries that have set themselves on centralization.
Elimination of recovery organisations with marketplace risks
A peculiar controversy has been raised by the plan to destruct recovery organisations, which have been supporting entrepreneurs in the implementation of their environmental obligations for almost 25 years. specified a change could lead to marketplace chaos, failure of support for tens of thousands of companies and occupation losses.
– A very dangerous component of the concept of RDP proposed by the MKIŚ is the extinction of the operation of recovery organisations, i.e. entities that have been helping about 100,000 entrepreneurs to fulfil their environmental obligations for almost a 4th of a century. We do not full realize why specified a revolution can lead not only to the elimination of many jobs, but besides to a disturbance of the system, which has been functioning for years and further problems for entrepreneurs," adds Piotr Mazurek.
Negative effects on consumers and the economy
The concerns of entrepreneurs concern not only the functioning of the market, but besides the impact on consumers. The introduction of charges not supported by an effectively managed ROP strategy will almost inevitably translate into a higher increase in product prices, including food and essentials. Moreover, the centralisation of the strategy does not supply a warrant to improve the selective collection of waste or to increase recycling levels, and at the same time threatens to make a state monopoly which will operate little effectively than free marketplace mechanisms. This in turn will consequence in higher fees for Poland resulting from lower recycling levels and further burdens for society.
Application for an effective ROP system
The Confederation of Leviathan calls on the Ministry of Climate and Environment to re-examine the concept and urgently adopt an ROP model that complies with European standards and marketplace economy principles. Entrepreneurs emphasise the request for a fair sharing of costs, taking account of eco-modulation of fees depending on the degree of suitability for recycling of packaging and full financial transparency.
YES for OIL, YES for RECYCLING, YES for ENVIRONMENT – NOT FOR PARAPODAT!
Polish entrepreneurs are ready to support the improvement of the circular economy and responsiblely finance the ROP system. They realise that we are in serious delays in implementing this strategy due to the fact that it should be in place in our country from 2020, which is why we request urgent, but above all wise decisions. Companies do not accept solutions that will bring more bureaucracy and uncertainty as to the real benefits to the environment alternatively of efficiency. Bad regulation can harm everyone, on the 1 hand, not improve collection and recycling levels, and on the another hand can lead to the elimination of many jobs. It is crucial to adopt a proven marketplace model that ensures the highest efficiency of the recycling strategy and responds to the needs of both the economy and society.
Leviathan calls for a sensible improvement of the ROP, which will not make the marketplace worse, but will actually aid improve waste management!
Confederation of Leviathan
