The capital city struggles to manage waste separation effectively. In the previous year, Warsaw reached a 22.05% level of preparation for reuse and recycling of municipal waste, yet the regulatory target stood at 25%.
Warsaw at risk of penalties
Public information indicates that in 2022 Warsaw achieved a 22.05% preparation level for reuse and recycling, falling short of the 25% required by law.
For years the issue of waste sorting has persisted as a first step toward proper waste management in the capital. Recurrent concerns have been raised about the way sorted waste is handled. Local authorities have been criticized for insufficient outreach and limited information campaigns.
According to a member of the PiS councilors club in the Warsaw City Council, Dariusz Figura, the city should lead by example when it comes to segregation and recycling performance.
Another voice, Cezary Wąsik of the SP and a councilor from Targówek, echoed this view, noting that Warsaw has wrestled with waste management issues for a long time. He warned that the city could face significant fines for failing to achieve the required recycling level, potentially in the millions of zlotys.
What does City Hall say?
The City Hall spokeswoman stated that the administration has undertaken due diligence to reach the recycling target.
The city has carried out ongoing educational and informational activities focused on the waste management hierarchy, proper segregation of municipal waste, and the benefits of selective collection. One stated reason for not reaching the target is the insufficient quantity and quality of paper, metal, plastic and glass fractions, along with bio-waste, resulting from improper source separation.
The spokeswoman noted that another factor is the limited amount of waste available for recycling processes. Individual fractions suitable for recycling and preparation for reuse, when separated from mixed municipal waste, make up only a small portion of the waste stream directed to recycling facilities.
Public reports indicate that this situation, driven by factors outside the city’s direct control, was reflected in the recycling performance of both private entrepreneurs and the city in 2022. Data show that 9 out of 24 entrepreneurs responsible for collecting municipal waste in Warsaw did not reach the required level of recycling.
In all, the challenges highlight the need for continued improvements in source separation, collection practices, and broader engagement with residents and businesses to close the gap toward the 25 percent target. These insights are summarized for ongoing accountability and to guide future policy actions in the capital.