Responsible packaging waste management

In 2023, 79.7 million tonnes of packaging waste were generated in the European Union, an average of nearly 178 kg per inhabitant. Paper and cardboard accounted for the largest share, at more than 40%. In Poland, 18% of municipal waste generated in 2024 was sent for recycling, while 30% was landfilled. For businesses, packaging entails not only an environmental impact but also expenditure related to purchasing, storage, packing, transport and final waste management. Measures should therefore begin with an assessment of whether particular packaging is necessary and whether it can be reused. A cardboard box in which a product or raw material was delivered to a warehouse can often be used for another shipment. A large box and several layers of void fill can also be replaced with packaging better suited to the product. Materials that cannot be reused should be sorted correctly, increasing their chances of being used as raw materials.

Such measures can reduce demand for new packaging, waste volumes and costs. Reducing mixed waste may also affect waste management costs, while properly separated fractions can be sent for further processing more easily. The Ministry of Climate and Environment indicates that reducing mixed waste volumes can deliver financial and environmental benefits.

Not every package needs to be washed

One frequently repeated myth about waste sorting is that every package must be thoroughly washed before disposal. According to information from the Ministry of Climate and Environment, glass, plastics and metals generally do not need to be washed. It is sufficient to empty the packaging thoroughly, unless local rules state otherwise. Washing takes place at a later processing stage.

Milk or juice cartons are another frequent source of mistakes. Although they resemble paper on the outside, they are multi-material packaging and should be placed in the yellow container for metals and plastics, rather than the blue container for paper.

Incorrectly sorted waste can contaminate a properly collected fraction. Properly separated materials, on the other hand, have a better chance of being used as raw materials for new products. A company should therefore not only provide appropriate containers but also give employees and customers clear information about sorting rules.

Statutory obligations for businesses

Responsible packaging management is not solely a voluntary measure. Businesses placing packaged products on the market are subject to statutory obligations. These include maintaining records of the mass of packaging placed on the market, reporting, ensuring the required recycling levels and conducting public education campaigns.

If a business fails to ensure the required recycling level, it may be required to pay a product fee. Its basis is linked to the mass of packaging placed on the market. However, a company does not have to fulfil all obligations independently. Regulations allow the recycling obligation to be entrusted to a packaging recovery organisation. The obligation to conduct public education campaigns may also be fulfilled through such an organisation.

The #TotalnieEko campaign and guidance for companies

The #TotalnieEko campaign was created to provide practical education for businesses. Its objective is to raise awareness of the correct handling of packaging and packaging waste. It also highlights measures taken before waste is generated: reducing unnecessary packaging and the number of materials used, reusing cardboard boxes and transport packaging, and designing packaging that is easier to reuse and recycle.

As part of the campaign, Total-Eko and Pani od odpadów prepared a free mini e-book entitled "#TotalnieEko company. How responsible packaging and waste management can reduce operating costs and make a tangible environmental impact".

The material is intended for manufacturers, importers, online retailers, local brands, wholesalers and other businesses using packaging. It contains guidance on reusing cardboard boxes and void fill, reducing unnecessary packaging layers, applying ecodesign principles, sorting individual materials correctly and clearly informing customers how to handle packaging after use. The first change may be to reuse a cardboard box for another shipment instead of directing it into the waste stream.