Anita Palukiewicz moderated a panel discussion on the Circular Economy at Sustainable Economy Summit 2026

The circular economy is increasingly shaping corporate strategies, business models and investment decisions. The challenges and opportunities arising from the transition towards a more circular economy were among the key topics discussed during the Sustainable Economy Summit 2026 organised by Executive Club.

One of the conference debates was moderated by Anita Palukiewicz, Partner and Head of Environment at SSW. The discussion focused on the key regulations and trends currently shaping the circular economy, including the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), the Deposit Return System (DRS), and the practical aspects of implementing circular solutions within businesses.

One of the key conclusions that emerged from the panel was that the circular economy can no longer be viewed solely through a regulatory or environmental lens. Increasingly, it is becoming a factor that influences business competitiveness, supply chain management, investment decisions and long-term growth strategies.

As the panellists emphasised, the successful implementation of new business models requires balancing the interests of multiple market participants while also ensuring a stable and predictable legal framework. The quality and predictability of regulation remain among the most important factors determining the success of the transition.

The discussion also highlighted that, for many businesses, the circular economy is no longer merely a source of new compliance obligations. It is increasingly seen as an opportunity to build competitive advantage, improve operational efficiency and develop new business models.

The panel featured Anita Sowińska, Katarzyna Jakubowska-Gawlik, Grzegorz Skrzypczak, Paweł Lesiak, Jarosław Siuta, Michał Mikołajczyk and Andrzej Grzymała.