What is a deposit-return system?
As we read on the gov.pl website:
A deposit-return system is a mechanism that promotes recycling and the reuse of packaging. In Poland, it will begin operating in October 2025. At that time, beverages in packaging covered by the system will begin appearing in stores—that is, products bearing a clearly visible deposit symbol and the deposit amount.
In some countries, a reusable glass bottle returns to the market a dozen or more times. This benefits both us and the environment.
Already, 180 million Europeans use deposit-return systems. This represents more than a quarter of our continent’s population. From October, Polish women and men will join them.
How will the system work?
1. When purchasing a beverage in packaging bearing the logo, customers will be charged a deposit.
IMPORTANT: the deposit will be added to the price of beverages only at the checkout,
2. All retail outlets, regardless of their size, will charge a deposit if they offer beverages in packaging covered by the system.
IMPORTANT: what matters here is not the store’s business profile, but the products it offers,
3. Packaging covered by the system will be appropriately marked with the deposit-return system logo.
IMPORTANT: it will not be possible to reclaim the deposit for packaging without the logo,
4. The deposit can be reclaimed when the packaging is returned.
IMPORTANT: when returning packaging to reclaim the deposit, it will not be necessary to present a receipt,
5. Packaging can be returned at any collection point. Stores larger than 200 m² are obliged to collect packaging covered by the system, while small stores under 200 m² may join the system voluntarily.
IMPORTANT: packaging should not be crushed before being taken to a collection point,
6. A requirement has been introduced to establish at least one stationary collection point for packaging and packaging waste covered by the deposit-return system in every municipality.
IMPORTANT: collection points for empty packaging may be established outside retail outlets.
What will be covered by the deposit-return system?
The deposit-return system will cover:
- Plastic bottles with a capacity of up to 3 litres
When returning a plastic bottle covered by the deposit-return system, meaning one bearing the system symbol, you will receive 50 groszy. - Metal cans with a capacity of up to 1 litre
When returning a can covered by the deposit-return system, meaning one bearing the system symbol, you will receive 50 groszy. - Reusable glass bottles with a capacity of up to 1.5 litres
When returning a glass bottle covered by the deposit-return system, meaning one bearing the system symbol, you will receive one złoty.
What will the collection points for packaging bearing the deposit symbol be?
The collection points for packaging bearing the deposit symbol will include:
- All stores larger than 200 m² that offer beverages in packaging covered by the deposit-return system,
- Stores smaller than 200 m² that sell beverages in reusable glass bottles (currently, this mainly concerns beer beverages),
- Other stores that join the system,
- Reverse-vending machines also available outside retail outlets,
- Other collection points.
Details on gov.pl.