From deposit-refund schemes to cybersecurity – POLECO 2026 will address the industry’s most pressing challenges
Cybersecurity for municipal utilities, the deposit-refund scheme, waste management, biogas plants, recycling and the green transition – these are the key themes of POLECO 2026. The International Environmental Protection Fair will take place on 6–8 October 2026 at the Poznań International Fair grounds.
The programme for this year’s event has been designed for those who are responsible on a day-to-day basis for the development of municipal infrastructure, the implementation of new regulations, environmental investments and the transformation of organisations towards more sustainable operations. Participants in the accompanying events will have the opportunity to take part in discussions on topics including adaptation to climate change, the deposit-refund scheme, cross-border waste shipments, selective collection methods, recycling, biogas plants and the safety of municipal infrastructure.
The POLECO programme will also cover issues of particular importance to local authorities, municipal companies and businesses, including the Regional Operational Programme (ROP) and its implications for the market, the future of municipal waste collection centres (PSZOK), the circular economy for plastics, monitoring of separate waste collection, construction and demolition waste, the digitalisation of the municipal sector, ADR regulations for the transfer of batteries and hazardous waste, new regulations on vehicle recycling and recovery, and risk, prevention and insurance as elements of corporate safety. Industry meetings, discussions with experts, the exchange of experiences and B2B networking will also form an important part of the event, facilitating the establishment of new contacts and the building of relationships within the environmental protection sector.
POLECO is not only about debates on the direction of change, but also a platform for showcasing specific technologies and services. Visitors will be able to explore the offerings of exhibitors representing sectors such as the circular economy, municipal technology, waste and recycling, deposit-refund schemes, sustainable development, climate, smart cities, water and wastewater, safety in the municipal sector, urban cleaning, and solutions supporting the green transition.
At the companies’ stands, visitors will be able to see both cutting-edge technologies and practical solutions addressing the current needs of the environmental sector. Visitors will be able to see technologies in action and meet experts who help solve real-world problems in the environmental sector. POLECO also offers an opportunity to meet market leaders and decision-makers, talk to technology and service providers, and find solutions to the current challenges facing organisations.
POLECO is aimed at professionals who face the challenges of environmental protection, municipal services, industry and public administration on a daily basis. We invite representatives from central and local government, municipal services, waste management and treatment facilities, recycling companies and recovery organisations, water supply companies, manufacturing and processing firms, as well as service providers to visit the exhibition. It is here that they will find practical solutions, technologies and expertise that can provide tangible support for their day-to-day work and planned investments.
The trade fair is also a meeting place for those responsible for waste management in the FMCG sector, representatives of retail chains, trade chambers and associations, environmental and legal consultancy firms, banking and financial institutions, clusters and purchasing groups, as well as representatives from the worlds of academia and the media. POLECO provides a space for discussing specific market needs, exchanging experiences with industry practitioners, and forging valuable business and professional relationships.
The scale of the previous edition demonstrates that POLECO is one of the key meeting places for the environmental protection sector in Poland. In 2025, the event attracted 5,500 participants, over 200 exhibitors from 7 countries, and 18,000 m² of exhibition space, whilst the programme featured 25 panel discussions and conferences involving 125 speakers.
This year’s edition of POLECO will take place alongside the GARDENIA Horticulture and Landscape Architecture Fair. With a single ticket, participants will be able to visit both events, broadening their scope of inspiration and industry contacts.