Deposit-Return System in Poland: The starting line

On 1 October 2025 Poland officially joined the ranks of countries with a deposit system. Currently, over 180 million Europeans across 16 countries already benefit from similar schemes. Poland becomes the seventeenth EU member state to introduce the so-called “deposit.”

The deposit system is a mechanism designed to promote recycling and the reuse of packaging.

“In Germany, the collection rate for packaging under the deposit system reaches 97 percent, and in Norway, 95 percent for PET bottles. Lithuania is also a good example: it introduced a deposit system in 2016 and, within two years, achieved a return rate of 90 percent for packaging. This means that the vast majority of packaging returns to the entities that placed it on the market,” the Ministry of Climate and Environment (MKiŚ) reports.

Thanks to the deposit system, Poland aims to achieve concrete environmental targets.

“A high level of selective packaging collection – at least 77 percent from 2025, rising to 90 percent by 2029. More recycled materials in single-use plastic bottles (including caps and lids) – the share of recycled plastics will reach at least 25 percent from 2025 and 30 percent from 2030,” MKiŚ adds.

Expert's perspective

Launch of Poland’s deposit system: What we need to know today

Today, October 1, 2025, Poland officially launches its deposit system. This is an important moment for consumers, producers, and retailers alike. Yet it is worth emphasizing: this is not a day-one revolution. The system will develop gradually, and the first months are likely to be more about learning and testing new processes than mass returns of packaging.

The key signal for consumers is simple: look for the deposit logo. This mark determines whether a beverage is covered by the system and whether an additional fee will be added at the checkout. If the logo is present, the shelf price must also indicate the deposit amount. Once the beverage is consumed, the bottle or can may be returned to reclaim the deposit.

The rules are straightforward: packaging should be empty, intact, with a legible label, EAN code, and deposit logo – ideally, with the cap included. The rule applies to PET bottles up to 3 liters, cans up to 1.5 liters, and returnable glass bottles.

If the deposit logo is absent, the packaging is not eligible for return under the system. Some stores may still collect such bottles or cans outside the system, but this does not involve the statutory deposit refund. Receipt-based solutions still apply to returnable glass bottles, though these will eventually be fully replaced by the new procedures.

Producers have been preparing for this day for many months – they needed to introduce new label designs, register EAN codes, and collaborate with operators. For them, the system also represents an opportunity: it provides access to secondary raw materials (recyclate), which will be essential for meeting increasingly ambitious environmental targets.

Retailers must be ready to accept returns from today, especially stores larger than 200 sq. m. This involves not just space and equipment but, above all, people: cashiers and store staff become the first point of contact for customers asking how to return bottles or cans. Proper staff training and back-office organization are critical to ensure returns do not disrupt daily store operations.

Should we expect chaos? On the contrary – the launch is likely to be calm. Currently, there are relatively few packages with the deposit logo, as producers are still selling earlier batches. Collection points and reverse vending machines will not be overwhelmed today, and stores have time to gradually familiarize themselves with new procedures. Significant acceleration is expected only in the coming months, with the system fully maturing in 2026.

For operators, today marks the beginning of a test in collaboration. In a multi-operator model, it is essential that deposit funds and return data flow smoothly and securely. At OK Operator, we have focused on three pillars: technology, logistics, and transparency. We built our own IT system to track packaging from the moment it is returned in a store to the counting center and deposit settlement. We have a logistics partner ensuring regular collection, along with financial mechanisms that protect deposit funds from misuse.

This marks the launch of a system that will mature and expand nationwide over the coming months. Its success depends on simple rules: a recognizable logo, uncrushed bottles and cans, efficient in-store handling, and transparent operator cooperation. OK Operator Kaucyjny SA is ready to support all parties – producers, retailers, and consumers – through this process. Ultimately, the first consumer experiences will determine whether it becomes a standard and everyday practice.

Tomasz Suligowski

OK Operator Kaucyjny SA

Deposit system – what, how, where, when?

“In the initial period, products in both deposit-covered and non-covered packaging will be available simultaneously. Over time, the share of the former will increase. From the consumer’s perspective, the key is the deposit mark, which identifies packaging for which the retailer may charge a deposit and for which the deposit can be reclaimed. The transition period is necessary to allow producers and distributors to sell beverages already produced without incurring losses or wasting food,” officials from the Ministry of Climate and Environment (MKiŚ) announce.

The deposit system will cover three types of returnable packaging:

• Plastic bottles up to 3 liters,
• Metal cans up to 1 liter,
• Reusable glass bottles up to 1.5 liters.

Consumers will receive a refund of PLN 0.50 for returning a plastic bottle or can, and PLN 1 for a glass bottle.

The deposit system does not cover packaging for milk, yogurt, or other drinkable dairy products, single-use glass containers, or cartons for milk and juice.

Only packaging displaying the deposit mark will be included in the system, and the mark will also indicate the deposit amount for that specific package.

The deposit for marked packaging will be added at the checkout – it is not included in the base price of the beverage. A receipt is not required to reclaim the deposit, and returns can be made at participating stores or reverse vending machines. To receive a refund, the package must display an intact deposit mark and a legible barcode.

In Poland, deposit system operations are managed by operators, entities that organize cooperation between producers and points of sale and oversee the collection of packaging included in the system.

Returns of marked packaging will be possible at collection points, which do not necessarily have to be the same locations where the purchase was made. Packages can be returned at any collection point participating in the system.

The obligation to accept packaging with a deposit mark applies only to retail outlets over 200 sq. m. that sell products included in the system. Smaller stores may accept returns voluntarily – except when selling beverages in reusable glass bottles, such as beer, in which case they are also required to accept returns.

All points of sale, including drugstores, sports stores, vending machines, and takeout restaurants, will collect the deposit if they sell products covered by the deposit system.

Deposit system in numbers

According to Deloitte’s report “Deposit System in Poland – Costs, Prospects, Opportunities”, the total cost of implementing and operating the deposit system from 2025 to 2034 will exceed PLN 37 billion (approx. €7.9 billion). Experts note that proponents of the system highlight revenues from unclaimed deposits (PLN 6.5–9.9 billion / EUR 1.4–2.1 billion over the decade) and the sale of recovered materials (PLN 3.8–5.1 billion / EUR 0.8–1.1 billion) as partial offsets to these expenditures.

“However, even in the most optimistic scenario, these revenues would cover less than half of the costs, leaving a deficit exceeding PLN 20 billion (EUR 4.3 billion). This gap will be passed on to market participants and, ultimately, to consumers,” says Andrzej Strojny, analyst at the Warsaw Enterprise Institute.

Currently, Poland has approximately 73,400 retail stores, of which nearly 50,000 are smaller outlets under 200 sq. m. Ultimately, the deposit system is expected to cover around 14 billion beverage containers annually.

Beverage packaging included in the deposit system will feature a special deposit mark.

Deposit system – gradual rollout, not a revolution

According to Andrzej Gantner, Vice President and CEO of the Polish Federation of Food Producers Employers’ Association (PFPŻ), October 1 should not be expected to bring a revolution.

“The most important thing is that customers do not attempt to return bottles and cans that do not bear the deposit mark. Such packaging is not part of the new system, and deposits cannot be refunded. Otherwise, stores could be ‘flooded’ with ineligible containers, and consumers frustrated by the lack of reimbursement. However, some large retail chains may already offer the first products with the deposit mark, mainly on private-label items. Contrary to warnings from the beverage industry, the law favors large retail chains in this regard, giving small, traditional stores insufficient time to join the system. These marked bottles can be returned via reverse vending machines or manually at the checkout. The system’s rollout will take place over several months: starting with larger stores and chains, and gradually extending to smaller outlets. Over time, more collection machines will appear,” adds the PFPŻ expert.

In his view, the system will not launch suddenly but will instead undergo a successive implementation process lasting several months.

“Beverage producers will join the system gradually, depending on the stock of packaging and products without the deposit mark,” adds Gantner.

The deposit system will cover three types of returnable packaging.

“Deposit” – consumer education is key to success

According to Paweł Sosnowski, Board Representative for Environmental Regulations at the Interzero Group, the coming months will focus on agreements between entities representing retailers and beverage producers.

“The main factor affecting the actual launch of the deposit system will be the decisions of beverage producers on whether to join the system. This will determine whether we see bottles or cans with deposit markings on store shelves this year. These decisions will depend on the offers made by deposit system operators, particularly regarding the financial terms of service provision, including meeting required collection targets.

At the same time, an educational campaign is needed to explain the rules for charging deposits and returning packaging. Equally important is informing consumers about the gradual rollout of the system, as many expect that from October 1, deposit-marked beverages will be widely available. Consumers need to understand that the system will be implemented progressively and will not immediately cover all bottles and cans,” adds Mr. Sosnowski.

Whether a product is included in the deposit system will be indicated by the system logo on the label, which will also show the deposit amount.

Deposit system – opportunities and challenges

Originally, the system was scheduled to launch on January 1, 2025, but it was postponed by nine months.

“Despite the extra time, much indicates that the project is not fully prepared. First and foremost, there is still no final agreement between deposit system operators and retailers. Key issues such as mutual settlements - including deposit and voucher costs – and the sharing of operational expenses remain unresolved. There is no chance that the system will operate perfectly from day one. This is understandable. Nevertheless, the system had to start at some point, and hundreds of thousands of Poles have been awaiting this project. Many similar systems operate successfully in neighboring European countries, for example in Germany. If it works there, why shouldn’t it work in Poland? We are no different from our neighbors.

Do people still remember the initial resistance and public outrage over the removal of free, single-use plastic bags from stores? Today, everyone goes shopping with a reusable bag without a second thought. In a few months, the deposit system will be just as natural: taking a few plastic and glass bottles or metal cans along with daily shopping will become routine. In my view, children will adapt to the program fastest, as it will serve as an extra source of pocket money,” says Tomasz Starzyk of Dun & Bradstreet.

Andrzej Gantner adds that the main point of contention is the so-called clearing fee, referring to the detailed financial and technical settlement rules between operators.

“This concerns not only costs but also responsibility for every container collected from a store and every deposit refunded to consumers. The deposit system carries enormous responsibility toward consumers, retailers, and beverage producers – amounting to billions of zlotys. Poland’s multi-operator structure is much more complex to implement than models in most European countries, where the deposit system was rolled out over many years and is typically managed by a single operator.

The multiplicity of entities in Poland creates organizational and technological challenges. Operators must not only agree on cooperation rules but also build secure, shared IT systems to accurately track all flows. The time allowed by the Ministry of Climate and Environment (MKiŚ) is far too short. Without these tools and agreements, it is impossible to ensure the system operates efficiently and financially safely. Every container and every zloty must be recorded and accounted for, and the system must be fraud-resistant – otherwise, it will lose credibility not only with consumers but also with retailers and beverage producers,” Gantner explains.

Dominika Lenkowska-Piechocka, CEO of Who Will Save The Planet, emphasizes that the deposit system is an important step toward a cleaner environment, but the method of implementation is crucial.

“Printing paper vouchers to confirm returns is a simple and technically feasible solution, but it raises questions about consistency with the system’s environmental goals. Every voucher creates additional waste and emissions from paper production, ink, and recycling. Digital solutions are not entirely neutral either – servers and data transmission consume energy – but the environmental footprint of a single digital transaction is smaller than that of printing a paper receipt. Therefore, a more sustainable approach is to develop digital confirmations, such as apps, SMS notifications, or integration with payment cards.

At the same time, the system should remain inclusive, offering paper vouchers for those who are digitally excluded. The ideal solution would be a hybrid model, where digital forms are standard, and paper confirmations are optional. That said, I regard the upcoming system launch as a success, though I hope for technological improvements and an eventual expansion to include collection of smaller containers, such as mini bottles,” says Dominika Lenkowska-Piechocka.

Key Takeaways

1. On October 1, 2025, Poland officially launches its deposit system. The rollout will be gradual, with the first months focused more on learning and testing new processes than on mass returns of packaging.
2. Initially, both deposit-marked and non-marked products will be available. Over time, the share of deposit-marked packaging will increase.
3. Deposits vary by packaging type. Consumers will receive PLN 0.50 (EUR 0.11) for returning a plastic bottle or can, and PLN 1 (EUR 0.21) for a glass bottle.