The deposit-return system in Poland is entering another major phase of development. The Ministry of Climate and Environment has announced an extension of the list of packaging for which we will pay an additional fee at the checkout, recoverable after returning the empty packaging. The key changes are to come into force between 2027 and 2029.
The most important new development will be the inclusion of single-use glass bottles in the system. This means that the deposit will cover, among other things, the so-called “monkeys”—small bottles of alcoholic beverages—as well as single-use bottles for beer or water. Until now, single-use glass has been placed exclusively in green containers for separately collected waste.
The new regulations are intended to help clear abandoned bottles from public spaces and increase the recycling rate for this material. For store customers, this means they will need to update their knowledge of what to return and what to throw into traditional containers. It is worth recalling what the current and planned division of packaging looks like.
What do we return in stores already?
- Plastic beverage bottles (single-use, with a capacity of up to 3 liters).
- Metal cans (with a capacity of up to 1 liter).
- Reusable glass bottles (with a capacity of up to 1.5 liters).
Czy korzystasz z systemu kaucyjnego?
What will join the system from 2027?
- Single-use glass bottles (including small bottles of spirits and non-returnable glass beverage bottles).
What about beverage cartons?
Milk and juice cartons will not be covered by the deposit-return system for now. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Climate said in recent days that “there are no plans to include milk packaging in the deposit-return system, whether cartons or other packaging for dairy products.” However, as life shows, plans can change.