Most of the products available on the market are sold together with different types of packaging. Information about the product, manufacturers etc., is placed on these packages but their main function is to protect the product during transport. After the product is removed, the packaging becomes waste which, according to Polish law, should be managed in an appropriate way. Recycling and recovery of the material are the most important issues. Basic statistics on recycling of packaging waste showed that paper, cardboard and aluminum packaging are recycled to the greatest extent in Poland. In the article, definitions of packaging and packaging waste according to Polish law are presented, together with legal acts on waste management. The main statistics connected with the management of packaging waste are also presented.

Most of the products available on the market are sold together with different types of packaging. Information about the product, manufacturers etc., is placed on these packages but their main function is to protect the product during transport. After the product is removed, the packaging becomes waste which, according to Polish law, should be managed in an appropriate way. Recycling and recovery of the material are the most important issues. Basic statistics on recycling of packaging waste showed that paper, cardboard and aluminum packaging are recycled to the greatest extent in Poland. In the article, definitions of packaging and packaging waste according to Polish law are presented, together with legal acts on waste management. The main statistics connected with the management of packaging waste are also presented.