In the automated world of business, a modern engineer should be characterized by a passion for technology, creativity, innovative capacity, initiative and commitment to scientific and technical progress, ease of adaptation, but also conviction about the mission of technology. Among these, a lack of competence in recognition of, and response to, anthropogenic ecological threats and destruction of biodiversity and ecosystems was noticed. The aim of this article was to draw attention to the problems of educating engineers, to include provision with specialist knowledge and development of necessary competences. The article also refers to the growth of waste production, including packaging waste, presenting an example of the use of activating methods in adult education, deployed in the subject "Waste management" for students of "Renewable energy sources and waste management”, implemented at the University of Rzeszów. Such teaching activity is of great importance in shaping the aforementioned competences.