POLECO 2025 – a place where ideas, business and climate solutions meet

On 14–16 October 2025, the Poznań International Fair hosted another edition of POLECO – Poland's largest event dedicated to environmental protection, municipal services and sustainable development. Over 200 exhibitors from Poland and abroad presented their products in three exhibition halls, showcasing technologies of the future, municipal equipment, digital solutions for waste management and tools supporting the circular economy.

  

New products and special zones

One of the biggest attractions at this year's fair was the Deposit Zone. In a specially prepared area, visitors could see how packaging collection machines (so-called recycling machines) work, as well as learn about modern technologies supporting system operators and logistics processes related to the circulation of returnable packaging. Discussions focused on the real challenges and opportunities associated with the introduction of deposits in Poland.

   

The electric and hybrid vehicle test zone also attracted a lot of interest, where participants could test modern electric sweepers, refuse collection vehicles, municipal tractors and service vehicles in practice. HEWEA conducted demonstrations of machine rides and tests, including timed slalom rides with a sweeper, which attracted numerous spectators. The test drives attracted the interest of both local government representatives and municipal companies looking for solutions to modernise their fleets.

    

  

The National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management organised two discussion panels, which took place on 14 October 2025 on the stage of Pavilion 5 at the Poznań International Fair. Both events emphasised the importance of synergy between energy transition and social and educational changes on the path to sustainable development.

Panels of the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management

The first panel, ‘Energy efficiency and circularity – a common direction for transformation,’ focused on the links between reducing energy consumption and implementing circular economy principles. Experts emphasised that effective energy management in industry, the public sector and households not only supports climate goals, but also brings measurable economic benefits. Topics included innovative technologies supporting resource recycling, thermal modernisation and the adaptation of cities to climate change.

  

The second panel, entitled ‘Environmental education as an investment in the future’, highlighted the key role of environmental awareness in the green transition process. The participants in the discussion emphasised that environmental education should cover all stages of life – from pre-school education to vocational training – and constitute a real investment in the future of society. Issues such as cross-sectoral cooperation, new teaching methods and the impact of education on consumer choices and civic attitudes were also raised.

  

Both panels demonstrated that energy efficiency and environmental education are inextricably linked – they are two pillars of a transformation that will lead to a more conscious, resilient and sustainable society.

Sustainable use of forest resources in the era of climate change

During the debate entitled ‘Sustainable use of forest resources in the era of climate change’, representatives of the State Forests and industry experts discussed the role of Polish forests in mitigating the effects of climate change and the challenges that these changes pose for modern forest management.

The participants pointed out that forests play a key role in carbon sequestration, biodiversity protection and landscape adaptation to increasingly frequent extreme weather events. The need to modify the principles of forest cultivation, protection and use was also discussed, including limiting clear-cutting and restructuring tree stands towards species that are more resistant to drought and disease.

It was emphasised that sustainable forest management requires combining tradition with a modern approach based on science, monitoring and responsible use of natural resources. The debate showed that Polish forests can become one of the pillars of effective adaptation to climate change, provided that measures to protect their sustainability and diversity are consistently implemented.

  

I Forum: Deposit Refund System and ROP

The first part of the Deposit Refund System and ROP Forum organised by the MTP Group was devoted to the practical aspects of implementing a deposit refund system in Poland. Experts from the packaging, trade and recycling industries discussed the key challenges related to the costs of launching the system, operational risks and the scale of necessary infrastructure investments.

  

It was pointed out that effective implementation of the system requires not only technological adaptation, but also consistent regulations and cooperation between producers, retailers and recycling entities. The need to ensure stable financing, a transparent settlement model and effective logistics for packaging collection was discussed.

It was emphasised that although the implementation of the system involves significant initial costs, in the long term it can bring measurable benefits – waste reduction, increased recycling rates and improved circular economy efficiency. The panel concluded that the key to success will be partnership-based cooperation between all market participants and clear rules for the functioning of the system.

The debate ‘How the deposit system does not work – consequences for residents, trade and waste management’, organised by the Chamber of Municipal Services, focused on the potential problems associated with the implementation of the deposit system. Experts pointed to risks for trade, local governments and residents, such as increased operating costs, logistical difficulties and possible disruptions to the selective waste collection system.

It was emphasised that the success of the system will depend on phased implementation, clear regulations and effective public education, which will avoid chaos and ensure the smooth operation of the new model.

  

The third debate within the Forum was devoted to the UC100 project, which aims to centralise the extended producer responsibility (EPR) system and create a single state entity to manage packaging. Experts discussed whether this solution would bring greater transparency and efficiency to the system or whether it would lead to reduced competition, increased costs and decreased environmental efficiency.

It was emphasised that businesses are willing to bear the full costs of operating the system, but expect to have a real say in how the funds are spent and guarantees that they will go towards actual recycling and not bureaucracy. Recyclers, on the other hand, are warning about the underfunding of the industry and the threat of losing the achievements of two decades of building the recovery market.

The debate concluded that effective EPR reform requires a balance between state control and private sector involvement. Centralisation can improve the system, but only if transparency, partnership and stable financing rules are maintained. The debate was organised by the Lewiatan Confederation, the Polish Chamber of Exhibition Industry and the MTP Group.

  

ARP for business: economic zones and financing of green projects

The Industrial Development Agency (ARP) presented two speeches devoted to supporting business in the green transition process.

In the lecture ‘Benefits of investing in ARP Special Economic Zones’, experts presented the advantages of operating in these zones – from tax breaks and access to infrastructure to favourable conditions for the development of innovative, green enterprises.

The second presentation, ‘How to finance an ecological project? ARP solutions for companies investing in sustainable development,’ introduced financial tools and support programmes offered to entrepreneurs planning pro-ecological investments. It was emphasised that ARP actively supports industrial transformation, combining economic development with care for the environment.

Selective collection and recycling of construction waste

A conference was also held on the challenges and directions of development in the field of construction and demolition waste management. In three panels, experts, lawyers and industry practitioners discussed key aspects of implementing circular economy principles in construction.

   

The first panel – ‘Circular construction in practice – selective waste collection, costs and use of recycled materials’, co-organised by ECO LEGAL Law Firm and MTP Group, focused on the practical aspects of implementing circularity on construction sites. The discussion centred on the possibilities of reusing raw materials, effective processing methods and ways of optimising the costs of selective collection.

The second debate, ‘Collection and management of construction and demolition waste – first experiences in the new legal reality,’ organised by ZIEMSKI & PARTNERS Law Firm and the MTP Group, was an opportunity to exchange experiences following the entry into force of new regulations on the obligation to segregate construction and demolition waste. Participants discussed the impact of the regulations on the daily operations of companies, responsibility in the waste management chain and practical implementation problems.

The third panel, ‘Circular economy in construction – planning and management of the investment process,’ prepared by UN Global Compact Network Poland and the MTP Group, addressed systemic challenges in the transformation of the construction sector towards a circular economy. Experts emphasised the need for an integrated approach to investment planning, the use of recycled materials and the promotion of innovations that reduce resource consumption.

The conference demonstrated that the future of the construction industry is based on cooperation, innovation, and the effective implementation of circular economy principles, which will reduce waste and increase the efficient use of raw materials.

Urban Mining – from mine to recycler

During the lecture ‘Urban Mining – from mine to recycler’, participants learned about the idea of urban mining as one of the key directions for strengthening the raw material sovereignty of Poland and Europe.

The speaker emphasised that cities can become ‘deposits of the future’ – a source of valuable secondary raw materials such as copper, nickel, lithium, cobalt and graphite, recovered from electronic waste, batteries and technical infrastructure. Urban mining, or ‘secondary extraction,’ is not only more energy-efficient, but also significantly less polluting than traditional primary mining.

  

The speech highlighted the need to develop recycling infrastructure, a stable regulatory framework and cooperation between industry, local authorities and the research sector, which are prerequisites for building European raw material independence and achieving energy transition goals.

Failure under control – industrial plant safety in practice

Conference entitled ‘Failure under control – industrial plant safety in practice’, devoted to issues related to the prevention of industrial failures and the improvement of technical safety in high-risk and increased-risk plants.

  

The experts discussed, among other things, the implementation of the Seveso III Directive, the importance of spatial planning in the location of plants using hazardous substances, as well as new challenges resulting from the development of biogas plants, energy storage facilities and the digitalisation of industrial processes. Other topics included cybersecurity, fire prevention, insurance risk assessment and planned changes to industrial safety regulations.

The meeting was attended by representatives of public administration, emergency services, industry, local governments and scientific circles, as well as specialists in fire protection and crisis management. The conference confirmed that effective protection against accidents requires cooperation between all stakeholders, consistent procedures and investment in modern safety systems.

Vehicle recycling in 2026: challenges, regulations and directions for change

The FORS information panel brought together representatives of the automotive, recycling and public administration industries to discuss the most important regulatory changes and challenges facing the vehicle dismantling sector.

  

During their presentations, the experts discussed, among other things, the electronic deregistration of vehicles, new waste codes for batteries, the planned extension of environmental decisions, and administrative penalties under the Waste Act. The impact of the development of electromobility, the condition of the used vehicle market, and the proposal for a deposit system as a way to reduce the grey market were discussed.

The event culminated in a debate with representatives of the administration, industry organisations and the private sector on the future of vehicle recycling and preparations for the implementation of new regulations in 2026.

Good practices in waste management – Let's talk about...

The fourth edition of the conference organised by the Circular Economy and Recycling Cluster, TOMRA, Plastics Europe Polska and the MTP Group provided a space for the exchange of experiences between representatives of the administration, business and the waste industry.

The focus was on upcoming changes to the waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) and battery system, including the planned amendment to the act and new interpretations of the regulations by environmental protection inspectorates. The ongoing European Commission consultations on the WEEE Directive and the harmonisation of waste classification were also discussed. An important item on the agenda was the discussion of the Packaging Regulation (PPWR) adopted this year and the directions for the development of the packaging economy – from design and recycling to reuse and new business models.

  

Much attention was devoted to the extended producer responsibility (EPR) system and the need to develop eco-modulation, as well as to analysing the level of circularity of plastics in Europe. Another key issue was the cross-border movement of waste in light of new EU regulations, including Regulation 2024/1157 and the notification requirement for code Y49, which from 2025 will cover e-waste and waste from its processing.

The conference also placed strong emphasis on technological aspects – the modernisation of processing lines, the optimisation of transport using GPS and video monitoring systems, and the possibilities for financing investments in the circular economy. Participants learned about the practical experiences of municipal facility users and digital tools to support waste stream analysis.

The event confirmed that effective waste management requires close cooperation between the public and private sectors, as well as open dialogue on upcoming legal, technological and environmental changes.

Investments in waste management – how to overcome barriers and seize opportunities?

During the panel discussion on investments in waste management, the current challenges and opportunities for the industry's development were presented. The discussion focused on the factors determining the pace and scale of project implementation – from the regulatory environment and administrative procedures to the availability of infrastructure and financing.

Participants unanimously emphasised that the main barrier to investment remains the complex and often unpredictable process of obtaining environmental permits and the lack of long-term regulatory stability. Attention was drawn to the need to simplify procedures, improve coordination between administrative bodies and clearly define investment priorities at national and regional level.

   

An important topic was the so-called investment gap in the waste management sector, resulting from both limited access to capital and delays in the construction of modern processing facilities. The speakers pointed to the need to support projects in the spirit of the circular economy, the development of recycling technologies and the improvement of the efficiency of selective waste collection and treatment systems.

The discussion also emphasised the importance of cooperation between public administration, local governments and business in order to create more predictable conditions for investors. Only joint action – including clear regulations, access to financing and the development of competences – will make it possible to overcome investment barriers and fully exploit the potential of waste management in Poland.

Enea Suppliers Day

During the ‘Enea Suppliers Day’, representatives of the Enea Group, the financial sector and key business partners discussed cooperation in the context of energy transformation. The meeting emphasised the importance of partnership and open dialogue in a dynamically changing energy market.

The debate ‘Partnership that drives transformation’ discussed the challenges and expectations for suppliers and the need for stable, transparent relationships. Experts from Enea Operator presented their experiences in effective cooperation and investment optimisation.

Another discussion, entitled ‘Sustainable Supply Chain,’ focused on the implementation of ESG principles and the creation of value for the environment and local communities. The section devoted to innovation and digitalisation presented modern tools supporting cooperation in the energy sector.

  

In the final debate, experts from Enea and the banking sector discussed models for financing the transition and the balance between innovation and financial stability. The event was accompanied by an Enea Group stand, where companies presented their offers and opportunities for cooperation.

The meeting confirmed that dialogue and joint action with partners are key to an effective and sustainable energy transition.

Challenges for the metal recycling industry in light of planned changes to EU legislation

The debate focused on the impact of planned EU regulations on the metal recycling sector. The introduction of a scrap export monitoring system was discussed, aimed at confirming the surplus of steel scrap in Europe and limiting its export outside the EU.

Experts emphasised the importance of the recycling industry as a pillar of the circular economy, which is key to achieving the EU's climate and environmental goals. It was pointed out that increasing legal requirements and emission costs will require investment in modern technologies and better cooperation between industry and administration.

  

The conclusion of the debate was that, although the upcoming changes pose a challenge, they can strengthen the position of European metal recycling as a strategic element of the transition to a low-carbon economy.

‘Plastic-free farming?’ – the use of biodegradable and bio-based plastics

The presentation discussed the problem of the widespread use of single-use plastic accessories in fruit and vegetable farming, such as clips, arches and strings. At the end of the growing season, these items often end up in waste along with plant residues, which hinders their management and contributes to microplastic pollution of the soil.

Alternative solutions based on bio-based and biodegradable materials were presented, which can be completely decomposed in the environment, eliminating the need to separate them from biomass after harvesting. This approach supports the goals of sustainable agriculture and the circular economy.

 

The AGRI-BIOCIRCULAR-HUB project, carried out by scientists from the Częstochowa University of Technology as part of the Horizon Europe programme (2025–2028), aims to develop and implement such solutions in agricultural practice, supporting the transformation of the sector towards a more environmentally friendly and resource-efficient food production model.

Climate and Environment – ‘Hydroclimate: The Role of Water in a Changing Climate’

The fourth edition of the ‘Climate and Environment’ conference, organised by the Climate and Environment Department of the Poznań City Council and the MTP Group, was devoted to the key role of water and wetlands in climate change adaptation processes. Participants emphasised the importance of retention, water resource protection and the use of digital technologies to monitor and manage the aquatic environment.

  

During the discussion panels, experts presented the potential of wetlands in biodiversity and climate protection, good retention practices in agriculture, and the importance of Ramsar sites in Poland. Modern tools supporting water management were also discussed, including hydrodynamic modelling, GIS, and measurement systems. The section on climate change adaptation presented forecasts of the impact of climate on water resources and projects such as ReBioClim, which support the renaturation of urban watercourses.

The conference emphasised the need for an integrated approach to water management, combining scientific knowledge, innovation and practical local action. It was held in the spirit of environmental responsibility, promoting low-carbon forms of transport and pro-environmental attitudes among participants.

Environmental protection in practice

The eleventh edition of the ‘Environmental Protection in Practice’ conference, organised by PZITS, brought together experts and practitioners involved in environmental engineering. The event covered the topics of water and sewage management, waste, biogas and nature conservation, highlighting the need for an integrated approach to environmental challenges.

  

A new feature of this year's edition was a discussion panel, which enriched the conference format and allowed for an exchange of experiences between science, business and local governments. The meeting confirmed the key role of cooperation between various communities in developing modern, practical pro-environmental solutions.

We invite you to the next edition of the POLECO fair.
20-22 October 2026