The amount of the environmental-use fee (the so-called marshal's fee) was radically changed by a ministerial regulation in the summer of this year. Until now, the company responsible for waste collection—in Bolesławiec, Miejski Zakład Gospodarki Komunalnej—paid more than PLN 15 per tonne of waste. From January, it will pay almost five times more: PLN 75.
This is connected with Poland's accession to the European Union. “We are beginning to catch up with the EU when it comes to environmental standards,” says Jarosław Kowalski, director for investments and environmental protection at Bolesławiec's MZGK. Poland has committed to significantly reducing the amount of waste stored in landfills within two years and recovering as many raw materials as possible. In this respect, however, we are still far behind the developed EU countries. It is known, though, that some of the money transferred to marshal's offices throughout Poland will be allocated specifically to environmental initiatives by local governments. Unfortunately, we will bear the costs of the environmental-use fee. Moreover, this is probably not the last increase of this kind.
The maximum fee for collecting 1 m³ of waste from January 2008 will be PLN 65 gross (previously it was PLN 42). For residents who separate their waste, the charge will be lower: nearly PLN 62—more than half higher than this year. Nevertheless, as director Kowalski points out, the company had not raised waste collection fees for five years, even though MZGK's operating costs had been increasing. There were no increases partly because the company sought to improve its competitiveness by creating a repair and construction division and offering funeral services.
“We do not know how the contractor will behave next year or whether it will look for a cheaper company,” admits Jarosław Kowalski. That is why the company's management is already considering how not to lose its market share. “We want to try to recover more waste. To do this, we need to introduce a second shift. But will that be enough?” wonders the director. MZGK is also considering selling—even for a symbolic one złoty—a waste product that could be used to produce alternative fuels. The aim is to send less waste to the landfill of the Municipality of Bolesławiec.
Could higher waste collection charges lead to the creation of illegal dumps? According to Jarosław Kowalski: “To a large extent, this depends on residents' environmental awareness and personal culture. Anyone who fully understands local rules and laws will never dump waste at an illegal landfill.”
Water and wastewater charges to increase
From January 1, 2008, charges for water and wastewater disposal will also increase. Households will pay PLN 2.33 gross per 1 m³ of supplied water, nearly 10% more than this year. For wastewater disposal, residents of Bolesławiec will pay PLN 3.32 gross per 1 m³, an increase of more than 18%. These increases are intended to enable Przedsiębiorstwo Wodociągów i Kanalizacji to operate efficiently.
(GA report)