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This research paper analyzes consumer expectations and priorities concerning environmental indicators within the food industry. The study's overall objective was to understand the importance of various environmental indicators on consumer purchasing decisions. A survey was conducted in Poland, utilizing a representative sample to measure participants' opinions. Respondents were asked to assess the importance of various environmental indicators in influencing their purchasing choices. The findings underscore a high demand among Polish consumers for environmental responsibility from companies operating in the food sector. Key indicators include the effectiveness of environmental management systems, pro-environmental investments, the promotion of environmental awareness, waste management, water conservation, and attention to supply chain and wastewater issues. This study provides a comprehensive understanding of consumer preferences, offering guidance for industry stakeholders and policymakers seeking to enhance sustainability practices and align their efforts with consumer expectations in the dynamic landscape of the food sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present article touches upon the topic of LCA simplifications within the scope of data inventory for the purposes of life cycle analysis of selected products. The paper's main objective was to define the features of products for which the calculation of the simplified environmental indicators may be recommended. The selected products differed in many aspects, and they could be generally classified into two separate groups: active products, which require energy to fulfil their function, and passive products, which do not need an energy supply. On the basis of the presented active products, it has been established that the key issue during their classification should be mass per unit and operational mode. The features of the analysed active use-intensive products include: low mass per unit, relatively short life cycle related to intensive use, possibility for fulfilment of functions without additional material flows and operation with constant AC power supply. A simplified LCA should be recommended at the first stage of project planning, when there are many versions/conceptions of a given product and when a full LCA is virtually impossible. In light of the above-mentioned, simplified environmental indicators would be the first filter for the versions of a new product being considered. Thanks to the proposed approach, the designer is able to categorise the tested product and will be aware of any potential critical points of its life cycle (hot spots). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change and environmental pollution are considered to be among the main challenges faced by the modern world. The growth of environmental awareness and the adoption of a pro-environmental approach are considered to be the key megatrends with the greatest impact on the global economy in the upcoming years. According to Eurobarometer, EU citizens are particularly aware of the importance of protecting the environment. Although the negative environmental impact of European industry has improved over the past decades, EU citizens believe that there is further scope in terms of helping companies transition towards adopting more sustainable models. One of the factors contributing to the reduction in negative environmental impact is the participation of enterprises in voluntary programs such as the Environmental Management System (EMS), according to ISO 14001, or the Eco-management and Audit Scheme (EMAS). The whole population of Polish companies registered under the EMAS was included in the study and although the sample size was small, it was a full study, and for that reason allows for the generalisation and conclusion regarding the whole population of EMAS-registered companies in Poland. The results of the study conducted on EMAS-registered organisations in Poland in 2015 suggest that the average effectiveness of the EMAS observed between 2007 and 2014 was 66.4%. The aim of this study was to review the changes in EMAS effectiveness and benefits obtained by participating organisations after five years. The results indicate that the average effectiveness during the period of 2015–2020 increased to 79.1%; nevertheless, registered organisations recognise fewer benefits for participation in the scheme. The study has shown that as EMAS matures in organisations, it becomes more effective. It influences a lot of factors, such as environmental awareness and management commitment, the use of SRDs (including BEMPs), environmental performance indicators for specific sectors, the criteria for the excellence of assessing the level of environmental performance, and the skilful use of indicators in organisations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]