Ekotech expo features solutions that shape the future of the Polish waste management and recycling sector

Eco-innovations and novelties presented at Ekotech

Ekotech featured experts and companies from all over the country; they exchanged experiences, shared  knowledge, shaped the future of municipal solutions. Municipal management must use ecological, economical, but also ergonomic solutions;  Visitors to the 24th Ekotech could learn about a modern approach to waste management. This year's exhibitors have put forward many solutions that will not only increase the efficiency of recycling companies but also facilitate the implementation of legal changes that await us next year.

The bill provides that the scheme starts in January, and it applies to single-use plastic beverage bottles with a capacity of up to three liters and metal cans with a capacity of up to one liter, and the deposit will be 50 grosz. Ekotech was the stage for AKE Technologies; the firm presented a modular reverse-vending machine,  particularily useful when the deposit system is intoroduced - Our device recognises bottles that udergo the deposit system by barcode scanning. Even if the user tries to cheat the system and paste the code, the machine detects irregularity. – said Marcin Derenda from AKE Technologies, the system provider for sorting, pressing and storing returnable packaging. – The device can be placed anywhere, it is mobile, so it is a good solution, e.g. during events and concerts. – adds the company's president.

The modernisation of the BDO system (Waste Database) introduced in 2020 is proposed by TwojaBDO;  it offers a platform that revolutionises the way waste is managed. – The basic version of the BDO system is not friendly to recycling companies  as it does not have many functionalities and is therefore not very ergonomic. YourBDO works as a browser extension;  we modify the government website, adding various functions - says Krzysztof Fidoń - The larger the company, the more cards it has to complete, the better this solution is for them. – adds the company representative.

The search for ergonomic solutions also guided the creators of the CitySolar bin. CitySolar – is an intelligent container with a waste compressing press installed is powered by PV system. The drive is also solar-energy powered. Therefore, we gain space while reducing expenses and carbon footprint - Martyna Samson - This Scandinavian solution will work well in public places, schools and large companies. – she adds.

The electric garbage truck of the Auto Moto Projekt Group also uses renewable energy. The innovation is that the garbage truck is powered directly by its own batteries, which we do not connect to traction batteries. Thus, the vehicle can travel 250 kilometres, a truck milage in the urban, 8 hours cycle. – says Michał Zubilewicz - We tested the solution in several cities, where it worked brilliantly. – boasts the company's founder.

This year's Ekotech also hosted Globtrak Polska which premiered a four- camera system equipped with an artificial intelligence module - The solution is primarily aimed at improving the safety of people near the vehicle during the waste collection process in the city. The system is designed to support young drivers in maneuvering municipal vehicles – added Rafał Chaba from Globtrak Polska.

Odzyskaj Środowisko Foundation [Regain Environment], MB Recycling, PolKa - Polska Kaucja [Polish Deposits] and GECON exhibited together at the Ekotechand presented the practical dimension of recycling, offering new solutions in circular economy and ecological education. The presentation included beautiful chess pieces made of recycled materials, as well as parts of cables and refrigerators. The Recover the Environment Foundation proudly presented recycled hives made from a washing machine drum.

Recycling of waste, photovoltaic panels and vehicles, deposit system - the main issues of industry meetings at Ekotech

The International Waste Management Forum on trends and challenges facing the waste sector has been organised for the tenth time, and it has become the expo tradition. - Kielce is an ideal place for such a forum - said the meeting organiser, Andrzej Bednarek, president of AK NOVA, at the opening ceremony - although we are from Poznań, we have organised this forum at the EKOTECH in Kielce for 10 years and that will not change. This year's MIFOD was held under the banner of "ES", standing for "System Effectiveness", with the participation of featured guests from Slovakia, Portugal and Italy. The talks on innovative waste collection systems, waste collection control systems, as well as barriers to achieving higher levels of recycling were in the heart of the conference. On the initiative of the Polish Association of Vehicle Disassembly Stations Eko-Auto and the Ekolog company, two meetings "Ecologist for companies" and "Ecologist for Local Governments" were held within the scope of the Ekotech Expo. The issue of abandoned cars on city streets and environmental audits were discussed. The YouTubers' zone at the Enex expo has proven very popular. "Start of the deposit system. Significance for consumers and business" organised by PolKa-Polska Kaucja featured the importance of introducing a deposit system in Poland and the impact on business and consumers. The speakers list included industry specialists, Sebastian Anioł from InPost, Filip Piotrowski, circular economy specialist at UNEP/GRID, Marek Mateja - SUP implementation coordinator, Marcel Rakowski PolKa - Polska Kaucja and Ewa Badowska-Domagała, legal advisor. Experts unanimously admitted that the deposit system is necessary in Poland and that it is possible to properly prepare its introduction, despite many challenges. For the first time, a conference devoted to the challenges for recycling photovoltaic panels and lithium-ion batteries for electromobility was held at Ekotech; the event was organised by Waste Management and Recycling Cluster. The session brought togeter public administration, entrepreneurs and all those interested in environmental protection and municipal waste management. Ekotech agenda also included a training and information conference organised by the FORS Car Recycling Forum Association; the latest trends and regulations in the vehicle recycling industry, the deregulatory package and ESG were discussed in detail. At the conference opening lecture Adam Małyszko, president of the Car Recycling Forum Association (FORS), emphasised, the vehicle recycling industry will develop;  advanced recycling technologies enable the recovery of more valuable raw materials from vehicles that reach the end of their life cycle. However, there are many threats to the market. The expo participants were offered free advice from experts at the Mobile Information Point of European Funds, organised by the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship's Marshal Office. The attractions galore for industry visitors included two competitions with prizes from Santrade: a knowledge competition and a skill competition. The prizes in these competitions went to PUH RUCHAŁA and Jarmet.

Polish-Ukrainian Forum at Ekotech 

For the first time the April Targi Kielce Ekotech welcomed the  national stand of Ukrainian companies organised by the Centre for Ecology and Economic Promotion and the Polish-Ukrainian Economic Center. - Our guests, a delegation from Ukrainian cities, are here to share what the cities have to offer, their expectations and what they would like to do. These are the silent heroes on whose shoulders the fate of the inhabitants rests,  they care for their webeing, life, food and housing amid the noise the bombs and drones generate - emphasised Czesław Roll, President of Board at the Centre for Ecology and Economic Promotion. The Ecotech's Ukraine cooperation zone witnessed numerous meetings between representatives of several cities and communes from Ukraine and representatives of the Kielce city authorities and local business. The mayors of Ukrainian cities and municipalities - Zviahel, Korostien, Poltava, Uman, Boyarka and Zhytomyr were active event participants;  the guests discussed Polish experiences in urban modernisation, development opportunities for Ukrainian cities and ways of possible cooperation.

Awards and Distinction presented at the EKOTECH

This year's Ekotech awading ceremony was the place to recogise innovative solutions in the environmental protection and waste management domain. Companies' attractive and modern style of their trade fair presentation also gained accolades. The following products received distinctions at the expo:

• APRIVA for the ZEN electric sweeper,
• EcoHydroCarbon for thermal transformation of polymer waste,
• Globtrak Polska for the GT AI Globtrak vision system,
• Ekorum for the educational and information campaign related to waste management carried out for MZGOK in Janczyce.

Awards of the 24th  International Environmental Protection and Waste Management Expo were preentd to

• ECO_UTILITY Ecoutility for the electronic garbage gazebo,
• BARTESKO PW, BARTŁOMIEJ SKOWROŃSKI, for a mobile electric device for municipal works,
• Auto Moto Projekt Group for a fully electric garbage truck.

TARGI KIELCE TOP DESIGN - Distinctions for elegance and innovative exhibition presentation style were presented to  Krozmet, Recykl recovery organisation, Kärcher, GP Truck Trading, Zeppelin Polska and Melex. TOP DESIGN AWARDS for original, elegant and comprehensive expo presentation were presented to MB Group, Dreiger and Globtrak Polska. At the end of the gala, Exhibitors celebrating anniversaries were also appreciated. 5th birthday wishes went to YourBDO company. Globtrak Polska celebrates its 15th anniversary. The GP TRUCK TRADING company and the FORS Car Recycling Forum Association have been in the market for a quarter of a century. The Zygmunt J. Głuchowski SC Zygmunt Głuchowski I Helena Głuchowska Kooperacja – Przemysłowo-Handlowa celebrates its 30th anniversary, and the Abrys company celebrates its 35th anniversary. The SaMASZ company has also been operating on the market for over 40 years.

We invite you to join the next 25th Ekotech Environmental Protection and Waste Management Fair in 2025!