A waste generation permit is an official document issued by the competent administrative authority, which authorises a company to legally produce certain types of waste as part of its operations. It is a legal requirement to ensure that production processes are responsible for the responsible and controlled management of waste, minimising its negative impact on the environment.
Waste generation permit - legal basis
The legal basis for issuing such a permit in Poland is the Waste Act of 14 December 2012 (Journal of Laws 2013, item 21)., which sets out both the application procedures and the requirements that companies seeking to obtain a permit must meet. These regulations are in line with the broad environmental and waste management policy framework of the European Union.
Who must have a waste permit?
A waste generation permit is required for any company or institution whose activities involve the production of industrial, municipal or specialised waste, such as medical or hazardous waste. It is mandatory for entities that generate significant amounts of waste in their activities. This requirement applies to companies:
producing hazardous waste in excess of 1 Mg (megagram, or 1,000 kg) per year,
generating non-hazardous waste but in quantities exceeding 5,000 Mg per year.
ZThe exemption shall apply inter alia to natural persons and to organisational entities not engaged in commercial activities, those who use waste for their own consumption, those who collect packaging waste as part of a non-waste management activity, such as schools or offices, and those who are required to obtain an integrated permit or concession for extractive waste or waste stored underground.
Who issues the waste permit?
Section 41 of the Waste Act stipulates that the carrying out of waste collection and the carrying out of waste processing are subject to a permit. These permits are issued by authorities depending on the location and type of activity. The provincial marshal is responsible for issuing permits for larger companies or those that may have a significant impact on the environment, while in other cases the responsibility lies with the district governor.
How to apply for a waste permit?
The submission of an application for a waste collection or treatment permit requires the submission of detailed information on the type and quantity of waste, the treatment methods, the location of the activity and plans to minimise the environmental impact. The application must also include information on the qualifications of the personnel, the facilities and the environmental technology in place.
Waste collection and processing permits are regulated by Article 42 of the Waste Act, which sets out the precise requirements for the documentation needed. For example, an application for a waste treatment permit must include information on the applicant's tax identification (TIN) and REGON number, a detailed description of the waste collection or treatment methods, and plans for the storage of waste. The permit process can be assisted by environmental consulting provided by the EKOPRO Group. Feel free to contact our specialists.
