Relationship Between Environmental Changes and Waste Management Policies on the Formation of the Quality of Life in Poland. A Regional Approach

Aim The aim of the study is to assess the impact of environmental change and waste management policies on the quality of life of county population in Poland, taking into account their spatial differentiation. Materials and Methods The study applies statistical data analysis, a comparative approach to identify regional variation and determinants of change and synthetic measure (TOPSIS method). Statistical data was collected at the county level. The choice was related to the data availability in Statistics Poland for 2010–2020. Results The results of the analysis show a stable level of quality of life with an upward trend, which indicates the effectiveness of social policy, but also the need for improvement in regions with lower welfare. Waste management remains stable, but further action is needed on recycling and infrastructure, and to reduce regional disparities. The state of the environment is deteriorating in areas with high urbanization and industrial development, highlighting the need for coordinated environmental policies. Conclusions Environmental changes, such as climate change and pollution, affect the quality of life, especially in the context of regional inequalities. Waste management policies and green transformation are key to minimizing these impacts, promoting recycling and sustainability. While the quality of life and waste management remain stable, further efforts are needed to reduce inequality and improve the environment through investment in infrastructure and environmental education.