Municipal Waste Management in Poland vs. European Union In the Years 2005-2014

Abstract

This article focuses on issues of municipal waste management in Poland after 2004. Poland, as a Member State of the EU is following its commitments and is approaching the EU standards of municipal solid wastes management. The studies presented the the levels of generated and collected municipal waste, also levels of storage and recycling. Municipal waste management in Poland was compared with the situation in EU countries. It was found that Poland produces about 200 kg per person less municipal services than the EU average, and on the other hand, approximately 50% of municipal waste is transferred to landfills. The performance is not satisfactory in regards to EU commitments and the implementation of a real “closing loops” approach.