The goal of this paper is the research and analysis of municipal waste stream management in rural areas, potentially designed for energy purposes in thermal treatment systems. The research section includes granulometric, morphological, and physicochemical analyses to determine waste parameters. Studies have indicated that the calorific value for mixed municipal waste ranged between 6.5 and 9.5 MJ∙kg, while following mechanical treatment for the oversize fraction over 80 mm ranged between 11.6 and 12.7 MJ∙kg. The biodegradable fraction content analysis of waste—granulation 10 to 20 mm—demonstrated its presence at the level of 80%, which may be used to produce biogas. Studies have shown that the humidity level of waste generated in rural areas is in the range of 32.9 to 40.9%, which does not disqualify it from energy use in the production of refuse-derived fuel. Implementing a circular economy in the municipal waste sector aims at minimizing the use of raw materials, limiting municipal waste generation and greenhouse gases emissions, and increasing the level of energy use. Implementing new municipal waste management models is crucial to achieve a balanced, low-emission, waste-free, and competitive economy. The results are a significant research input for a group of municipal wastes generated in rural areas, such as refuse-derived fuel.

The energy transition currently defines the economic development of all market sectors, driven by technological progress and increasing environmental awareness. The requirements of a sustainable economy and green energy are evolving dynamically to address environmental challenges, emphasizing the reduction of CO₂ emissions as well as energy efficiency and renewable energy sources. It is essential to study consumer attitudes toward products manufactured using green energy, including FMCG (fast-moving consumer goods) products. The aim of this article is to examine the impact of the energy transformation, and consequently rising energy costs, on the decision-making process of consumers of FMCG products produced in accordance with the principles of sustainable development (including green energy). It explores the factors influencing their purchasing decisions and the role that generation plays in this process. Understanding how different generations respond to the energy aspects of economic functioning is crucial for the future development of the energy sector and the implementation of sustainable economic models. Therefore, it is essential to conduct research that demonstrates the extent of the influence of increasing consumer awareness of energy transformation within the framework of sustainable development.

Sustainable protein consumption is a key element in the transition toward more environmentally responsible food systems. Poultry, due to its relatively low carbon footprint and favorable health profile, holds significant potential to become an important component of the so-called “protein transition.” The aim of this article is to identify cognitive factors influencing consumer purchasing decisions regarding poultry and to formulate recommendations for marketing communication strategies that position poultry as a choice aligned with sustainability goals. This study is based on an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) conducted on a nationally representative sample of Polish consumers (AgriFood 2024). The results revealed three dominant decision-making determinants—taste, health, and convenience—collectively forming the original THC (Taste–Health–Convenience) model. This model provides a novel interpretive framework, showing how sustainability issues can be communicated through immediate, personally relevant consumer benefits, and subsequently expanded to include environmental and ethical aspects. The findings indicate that effective communication should emphasize tangible, everyday consumer benefits while also leveraging poultry’s lower climate impact compared to red meat. This article makes an original contribution to the debate on sustainable diets by presenting the THC model both as a tool for explaining the mechanisms of the attitude–behavior gap and as a practical instrument for designing campaigns that support the implementation of SDG 3 and SDG 12.

Modern society presents young women with many challenges that require them not only to have high professional competencies, but also adaptive and entrepreneurial skills. The transition from school to higher education is one of the key moments in young women's lives. It involves a revision of previous plans and aspirations. It is a time when reflection on one's career aspirations and how to achieve them takes place. The study is part of a strand of research on factors supporting and inhibiting women's careers. Its main objective is to verify to what extent young women's attitudes towards careers change in two successive stages of their education (secondary school and university). Particular attention was paid to the changes that occur in respondents' expectations of the level to which work satisfies their basic needs (such as, inter alia, job stability, good pay, good interpersonal relations or opportunities for development). Furthermore, the study examined how the self-assessment of the surveyed women evolves in areas such as life activity, motivation, openness to change and willingness to take risks. Surveys conducted among female secondary school and university students revealed significant differences in the perception of one's own capabilities and career preferences between the groups studied. At the same time, they demonstrate that young women’s life priorities change with age. The results indicate that young women, as they enter adulthood and enter university, begin to focus more on their need for professional stability at the expense of their previously perceived needs for independence and challenge-seeking. As they gain academic experience, their professional expectations change, which can have far-reaching consequences for their entrepreneurship and future careers. The findings generate further areas of research that would aim to verify the factors influencing the change in attitudes. The results of the research may serve the developers of the core curriculum in secondary schools, study programmes, as well as employers interested in attracting young women into the workforce

Research on sustainable consumption has identified gender-related differences in environmental attitudes and consumer preferences, yet evidence regarding the magnitude and consistency of these differences remains mixed across cultural contexts. Poland provides a relevant context for examining these patterns in a Central European consumer market undergoing environmental and energy-related transitions. This study examines whether women and men differ in the perceived importance of purchasing criteria and in selected pro-environmental attitudes related to energy-efficient and environmentally friendly everyday products. The CAWI survey was conducted among 1068 adult respondents recruited by an external research provider, using a non-probability sample with equal representation of women and men. Gender differences were initially assessed using the Mann–Whitney U test with Holm’s correction and effect size estimation, supplemented by multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) and Spearman’s rank correlation. Price and ingredient quality received the highest ratings in both groups, indicating significant similarity between women and men. After Holm’s correction, four gender differences remained statistically significant in unadjusted comparisons. Additional robustness analyses, controlling for age group, financial situation, employment status, and place of residence, showed that only two associations remained statistically stable: women reported greater concern about climate change and attributed greater importance to cruelty-free products. Overall, the observed gender differences were small and selective, and gender accounted for only a very small part of the multivariate response structure. The results therefore suggest that the overall similarity between women and men is greater than the magnitude of the observed differences and caution against treating gender as a strong, stand-alone basis for explaining or segmenting consumer environmental preferences.