A morphing market
Economic growth in general is the main driver behind this growing market, as people with greater spending power will purchase more (regardless of how much 'green lifestyle' advocacy takes place), which, of course, results in the creation of more waste that needs collection and recycling. Furthermore, the disappearance of companies engaged in dishonest and illegal practices will work to the advantage of large, more reputable companies offering a variety of services nationwide. Finally, legal business operations will result in proper documentation, which will therefore add to the 'book' value of the waste recovery and recycling market.
Major recycling firms, as well as associations of companies that produce packaging, argue that there has to be a central registry of recovery and recycling firms, just as there is for those who deal with electrical and electronic waste.
According to PSR's Kawczynski, the market may now be changing on its own in a sense, with smaller or disreputable companies no longer able to win customers, but a lot depends on how seriously authorities will approach the execution of all legal regulations that the NIK report described as breached.
"If that's what the authorities are really after, then the market will consolidate in two to three years' time," Kawczynksi argues. "If not, it will take a lot longer, and that will harm the entire system."
