The EU requires 11 waste bins in every home? Resort: that's not true

The information that the European Union plans to introduce the obligation to use 11 waste bins is false and results from an incorrect interpretation of the EU report, the Ministry of Climate and Environment said on Tuesday. It recalled that in Poland there is a system of five waste fractions.

“There is information circulating on the Internet about the European Union's plans to introduce the obligation to use 11 waste bins. This is a false message resulting from the incorrect interpretation of the report of the Joint Research Center of the European Commission (JRC). The document is of an expert nature and does not constitute a legislative proposal,” the ministry said in a statement.

The Ministry emphasized that the JRC is an analytical unit of the European Commission and its report is of an expert nature. Therefore, it is not a legislative proposal and does not create new obligations for the residents of the Community.

As the ministry reminded, In Poland, there is a system based on five factions – residual, biodegradable waste, metals and plastics, paper and glass. He pointed out that the EU is working on new packaging markings (symbols will appear on them showing what the product is made of and which bin it should go to), but does not plan to increase the number of waste containers.

“New rules for labeling packaging are being developed within the EU. The aim of the changes is to standardize labels throughout the EU. Simple pictograms are to appear on packaging showing what material the product is made of and which bin it should go into. Similar markings will appear on containers. Samples of such labels were presented in the JRC report and consulted with member states, including Poland,” the Ministry of Environmental Protection said.

Therefore, there may be several labels on the bin indicating waste that can be thrown into it.

As indicated in the Communication, the final set of pictograms will be established by August 12, 2026, and Member States will be obliged to adapt the labeling from August 12, 2028 or 30 months after the adoption of the implementing acts. (PAP)

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