Do I have to sort my waste?
Yes: waste sorting is mandatory. Under the act on maintaining cleanliness and order in municipalities, every property owner must sort municipal waste into fractions: paper, glass, metals and plastics, bio-waste and mixed waste. From 2026 the duty to have a brown bio-waste bin (usually 80 l) is also enforced. If the municipality finds incorrect sorting, it can charge a raised fee — from 2 to 4 times the basic rate, paid as a standing fee until improvement. Inspections are run by, among others, municipal guards and municipal services. Some waste (e.g. e-waste, medicines, batteries) goes to a PSZOK or special points, not the ordinary bin.
📋 The rules
- Duty to sort municipal waste
- Fractions: paper, glass, metals and plastics, bio-waste, mixed
- From 2026: duty to have a bio-waste bin (BIO)
- No sorting: raised fee (2–4× the rate)
- E-waste, medicines, batteries: to a PSZOK/collection points
🔓 Exceptions
- Hazardous and bulky waste: handed to a PSZOK or in collections
- Composting bio-waste in your own composter: possible fee discount
- Detailed rules and fractions are set by the municipality's regulations
⚠️ Penalties & fines
For failing the sorting duty the municipality, by decision, charges a raised fee of 2 to 4 times the basic rate — not a one-off penalty but a standing fee kept until the owner shows improvement. In practice, with a rate of a few dozen zł per person, the raised fee reaches several hundred zł a month. Putting hazardous waste or e-waste into ordinary bins is additionally against the rules. To avoid raised fees: sort waste per the municipality's regulations, get the required bins (including BIO), don't put items that don't belong into a fraction, and take e-waste, medicines and batteries to a PSZOK or designated points. Consider composting if it brings a discount.
📎 Official sources
- ISAP · Act on maintaining cleanliness and order in municipalities →
- Gov.pl · How to sort waste →
- Municipality · Cleanliness regulations →
❓ Frequently asked
Is waste sorting mandatory?
Yes. The act on maintaining cleanliness and order in municipalities requires every property owner to sort municipal waste. It's divided into fractions: paper, glass, metals and plastics, bio-waste and mixed waste, in line with the municipality's regulations.
What penalties apply for not sorting?
The municipality charges a raised fee of 2 to 4 times the basic rate. It's not a one-off penalty but a standing fee kept until improvement is shown. With a rate of a few dozen zł per person, the raised fee can reach several hundred zł a month.
What changes from 2026?
The duty to have a separate brown bio-waste bin (usually 80 l) is enforced. Municipalities also gain more effective tools to check correct sorting. Improper sorting, including of bio-waste, can result in a raised fee for waste collection.
Where do I take e-waste, medicines and batteries?
To a Selective Municipal Waste Collection Point (PSZOK) or special collection points, not the ordinary bins. This covers used electronics, expired medicines, batteries and hazardous waste. Many shops and pharmacies accept some of these.
Can I avoid the bio-waste fee by composting?
In many municipalities yes. If you compost bio-waste in your own home composter, you may get a discount on the waste-management fee. The terms and amount are set by the municipality's regulations — you usually file a declaration of composting.
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