Sustainable Management of Landfill Methane Emissions in Poland: The Role of the Pollutant Release and Transfer Register

Abstract

Waste management is a vital component of modern economies, requiring not only technological solutions, but also economic and social approaches that reflect human needs while minimizing environmental harm. Within the European Union, sustainable development remains a central objective, promoting strategies in which waste is not merely disposed of, but is also recovered and reused whenever feasible. Landfill gas, primarily composed of methane, can be captured and managed in a controlled way. If left unregulated, methane emissions present serious risks to human health and contribute significantly to environmental degradation. At the same time, methane represents a valuable yet underutilized renewable energy source. In Poland, emission monitoring is conducted through the National Pollutant Release and Transfer Register, which operates as part of a broader European system. Landfill operators must report methane emissions and pay associated environmental fees. This study aimed to estimate methane emissions across Polish voivodeships from 2019 to 2023, considering both economic and social dimensions of sustainability. The analysis relied on official register data and landfill documentation, enabling evaluation of reporting accuracy and regulatory effectiveness. The findings indicate that current policies insufficiently encourage emission reductions, highlighting the need for systemic reforms, improved transparency, and clearer regulatory thresholds to drive meaningful environmental progress.