He discovered a loophole in the bail system. He earns more than is possible

A new packaging collection system has been in force since the beginning of this year. The deposit is PLN 0.50 for plastic bottles and cans and PLN 1 for glass bottles. After drinking the drink, we can collect the deposit by returning the bottle to the store (without a receipt and to any store).

He earns more than he can from the bail system

“Gazeta Wyborcza” describes the case of Mr. Tomasz. A man running a service company near the border with Slovakia discovered that he could earn more than the PLN 0.50 stipulated in the regulations by returning plastic bottles.

– I bought orange juice in Biedronka in mid-January. While standing at the checkout, I noticed that next to the Polish deposit sign, there was also another one, like the one I saw in Slovakia. I checked the other drinks in the refrigerated stand and there were double deposit marks on the regular shelves and on other packaging as well. I asked the store staff if it wasn’t a mistake. They replied that everything was fine – Mr. Tomasz tells “Wyborcza”.

Soon, the entrepreneur checked that the deposit system operating in Slovakia provides for a refund of EUR 0.15 for a plastic bottle. Depending on the exchange rate, it amounts to PLN 0.62 to PLN 0.64, which is several cents more than in Poland. Mr. Tomasz asked a friend who goes to Slovakia on business several times a month to take two bottles from Biedronka and return them on site. When this was accomplished without any problems, the man called his friends and asked them to bring him bottles from Biedronka. He assured that he would pay a few cents more for each bottle than at a bottle dispenser.

As a result, as the newspaper writes, by returning 120 and then 130 bottles, they managed to earn PLN 76.86 and PLN 83.26, respectively, while in Poland it would be PLN 60 and PLN 65, respectively. The daily calculates that for each bottle donated in Slovakia, the entrepreneur earned an additional PLN 0.14 (instead of PLN 0.50 in Poland, after conversion, he received PLN 0.64 in Slovakia).

Everything is legal

– Some private label products are sold in more than one market. Biedronka conducts commercial activities both in Poland and Slovakia. Both countries have a deposit system, which is why some packaging – especially in the case of own-brand products distributed in both countries – bears the markings of the deposit systems applicable in both markets. – says Leszek Dąbrowski, junior manager for institutional relations in the Biedronka chain, in an interview with Wyborcza.

Experts point out that returning packaging bought in Poland to Slovakia is legal and they are not surprised that Poles have found out about the business here. These types of returns are undoubtedly profitable for people who live close to the border with Slovakia and do not incur transport costs.