In this paper, an aggregate indicator of a regional green economy (Regional Green Economy Index—RGEI) was proposed and applied to assess the level of green economy in Polish regions and its changes in the period 2004–2016. The TOPSIS (Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution) method was applied, which is one of the multi-criteria decision making methods (MCDM), widely used to assess the spatial diversity of socio-economic phenomena. Common reference values (ideal and anti-ideal solution) were used for variables for the entire study period. It allowed not only for creating a ranking of regions, but to assess progress towards the green economy as well. It was found that all regions of Poland made progress in this respect. Most importantly, the regions ranked the worst before Poland’s accession to the European Union, made substantial progress. It was stated as well that none among the studied regions had high values of all variables included in the aggregate index. The maximum value of the RGEI index was about 0.5, while the index range is [0,1]. Additionally, an important finding was the fact that the weights of all diagnostic variables obtained using information entropy method were about equal, which confirms the approach of researchers and institutions who do not use weighting in aggregate indicators for well-being or sustainable development—which means implicitly using equal weights.

The insufficient effectiveness of the European packaging waste policy has prompted the European Union to adopt more decisive measures in 2025. The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation of 2024 obliges Member States to use deposit–return systems to achieve high collection rates for beverage packaging and, as a result, to enhance packaging circularity. As evidence supporting this approach, i.e., that deposit systems indeed are an efficient solution for packaging waste collection, is still scattered, this article provides a systematic review of the evidence on various aspects of the use of deposit systems. A key finding of our review is that both scientific and empirical evidence support the European Union’s decision to make deposit–return systems mandatory: in European countries that have fully operational systems, the collection rates of packaging covered by these systems exceeded 85%. In addition to this positive contribution to packaging circularity, a significant (40–60%) reduction in littering is reported after implementation of the deposit systems. A significant novelty of this review is the presentation of the latest empirical data suggesting that deposit systems may be comparable to alternative collection methods in terms of costs to producers. Comprehensive assessments conducted using the cost–benefit analysis methods confirm that deposit systems generate net social benefits. It is suggested that innovations in logistics contribute to reduced environmental impacts of transport and transport-related costs. For this reason, updated life cycle assessments and cost–benefit analyses of deposit systems are needed to assess the role of deposit systems within the European circular economy framework.

The purpose of this paper was to investigate whether consumer behaviour in the second-hand clothing market causes a rebound effect, and if so, what are the reasons behind it. The study examined two potential causes: the price effect and moral licensing. A survey technique was used for data collection to study the phenomenon quantitatively. Non-parametric tests, analysis of relationships between variables and hierarchical cluster analysis were used to analyse the results. The existence of a rebound effect in the used clothing market was confirmed. At the same time, the magnitude of the substitution rate between new clothing and used clothing was estimated at 1:1.23. It was also proved that the phenomenon under study is influenced by both the price effect and moral licensing.

The introduction of a deposit-return system for certain packaging in Poland, scheduled for 2025 will be a significant change to the system of waste management instruments. The aim of the article is to identify and analyze the economic effects of the introducing such a system, with particular emphasis on plastic beverage bottles. Analysis of the newly introduced regulations, as well as projections based on data on packaging placed on the market and its recycling allowed us to estimate the scale of these effects, in quantitative and monetary terms. We concluded that the introduction of a deposit system in Poland would contribute to achieving the objectives set out in the Single Use Plastic directive; a goal that is unlikely to be met with the current system. This will be done at a lower cost than if the system remained in its current form.

The aim of this paper is to analyse the effectiveness of implementing the deposit-return scheme (DRS) as a tool for achieving goals in recycling and the separate collection of plastic packaging waste, as well as in promoting the circular economy in European Union (EU) countries. In this context, the prospects for the effectiveness of a future DRS in Poland were assessed. A correlation analysis between the level of plastic bottle collection and nine explanatory variables was conducted, supplemented by hierarchical cluster analysis. Our findings support the hypothesis that the deposit system is a key factor in increasing the rate of separate collection of plastic bottles. Accordingly, the introduction of a DRS in Poland is expected to effectively meet the target for plastic bottle collection set by the Single-Use Plastic Directive.

This article is aimed at developing a proposal of indicators to integrate climate change adaptation into the process of designing legislation and assessing the effectiveness of this legislation in adapting the society, the economy and the environment to climate change. Based on a review of climate change adaptation monitoring indicators used in selected European countries, an assessment of potential indicators according to the proposed criteria was carried out and a proposed list of indicators for monitoring climate change adaptation in selected economic sectors was developed for use in the ex-ante assessment of legislation. The proposed set of indicators can be used for ex-ante assessment of legal acts in terms of implementation of climate change adaptation requirements - both to determine the values of indicators selected for a given sector that are relevant to climate change adaptation, and then to monitor changes in these indicators to assess the effects of implementing legal regulations in terms of supporting the state's climate change adaptation policy.