TFL Vsebine / Revija Pravnik

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Slovenija zamuja z implementacijo evropske zakonodaje na področju odpadne embalaže, predvsem z uvedbo sistema full cost, po katerem bi proizvajalci pokrili vse stroške ravnanja z odpadno embalažo. Zakon o varstvu okolja (ZVO- 2) uvaja monopoliziran sistem proizvajalčeve razširjene odgovornosti, po katerem bi lahko odpadno embalažo upravljala le ena nepridobitna organizacija. Ustavno sodišče je sporno določbo začasno zadržalo, Sodišče EU pa presoja njeno skladnost s pravom EU. Medtem je EU sprejela novo Uredbo o embalaži, ki določa ambiciozne okoljske cilje, kot so zmanjšanje odpadne embalaže, povečanje reciklaže, uvedba kavcijskega sistema in oblikovanje embalaže za lažje recikliranje. Uredba hkrati podrobno regulira inovativno embalažo, kar lahko zavira razvoj. Kljub zakonski zahtevi po prednostni predelavi v Sloveniji je večina plastične embalaže izvožena zaradi pomanjkanja predelovalnih obratov in dolgotrajnih postopkov pridobivanja dovoljenj. Avtor opozarja, da prehod v krožno gospodarstvo ne bo uspešen brez poslovne dobičkonosnosti. Monopolizacija in nepridobitnost sistemov proizvajalčeve razširjene odgovornosti po njegovem mnenju pošiljata napačno sporočilo, da se krožno gospodarstvo ne izplača in zahteva subvencije. Poudarja, da mora EU najti pravo ravnotežje med visokimi okoljskimi standardi in konkurenčnostjo, saj čezmerna regulacija lahko zavira inovacije in gospodarski razvoj.

Slovenia is lagging behind in implementing European legislation on waste packaging, particularly with regard to introducing the full cost system, under which producers would cover all costs of waste packaging management. Slovenian Environmental Protection Act (Zakon o varstvu okolja – ZVO-2) introduces a monopolised extended producer responsibility system, in which only one non-profit organisation would be allowed to manage waste packaging. The Constitutional Court has temporarily suspended the disputed provision, while the EU Court of Justice is assessing its compliance with EU law. Meanwhile, the EU has adopted a new Packaging Regulation, setting ambitious environmental goals, such as reducing packaging waste, increasing recycling rates, introducing a deposit-return system, and designing packaging for easier recycling. Simultaneously, the Regulation strictly regulates innovative packaging, which could hinder development. Despite the legal requirement for priority processing in Slovenia, most plastic packaging is exported due to a lack of recycling facilities and lengthy permitting procedures. The author warns that the transition to a circular economy will not succeed without business profitability. In his view, the monopolisation and non-profit nature of extended producer responsibility systems send the wrong message—that the circular economy is not financially viable and requires subsidies. He emphasises that the EU must find the right balance between high environmental standards and competitiveness, as excessive regulation could stifle innovation and economic growth.

Promoting Innovation by Defining an Object before its Existence