The deposit-refund system in Poland is getting closer. A key decision has been made
Today, the government adopted an amendment to the Act on the management of packaging and packaging waste. It assumes the introduction from 2025 of a deposit-refund system for disposable plastic bottles up to 3 liters, reusable glass bottles up to 1.5 liters and metal cans with a capacity of up to 1 liter.
On Tuesday, the Council of Ministers adopted a draft amendment to the Act on the management of packaging and packaging waste. From January 1, 2025, a deposit-refund system will be introduced in Poland for disposable plastic bottles up to 3 liters, reusable glass bottles up to 1.5 liters and metal cans with a capacity of up to 1 liter. The introduction of this system is a response to the so-called the Single Use Plastic (SUP) directive.
The deposit-refund system in Poland. What is the amount of the deposit?
Currently, a significant part of packaging waste, which is planned to be covered by the deposit-refund system, is collected together with other municipal waste in the municipal system. The new solution will increase the level of selective collection and, as a result, also the recycling of packaging waste and reduce environmental pollution.
The deposit system will cover e.g. bottles for water, juice, nectar or milk. Empty packaging can be returned to the store to recover the previously paid deposit. Large stores with an area of more than 200 square meters will have to collect empty packaging for this purpose. Other retail outlets (with a smaller area) will be able to join the system and collect the packaging covered by the deposit on a voluntary basis.
For disposable plastic bottles up to 3 liters, reusable glass bottles up to 1.5 liters and metal cans with a capacity of up to 1 liter, a deposit will be added, the amount of which will be specified in the regulation. For example, in Germany the amount of the deposit is EUR 0.25 for all types of packaging.
To collect the deposit in the store, you will not need to show a receipt confirming its earlier payment.
Poles want a deposit-refund system
The recent Insight Lab study, commissioned by the Federation of Polish Entrepreneurs, shows that 64 percent. Poles want the deposit-refund system to come into force in our country as soon as possible. As much as 83 percent of respondents declare that the possibility of collecting beverage containers in the store where they usually shop will encourage them to donate them.
