On 1 October 2025, Poland will launch the long-awaited national deposit system (a nationwide collection system for beverage packaging). What does this mean in practice? The well-known bottle deposit scheme will be expanded nationwide, covering not only returnable glass but also plastic bottles and cans.
Deposit System – What Is It?
The Deposit System 2025 is a mechanism promoting recycling and the reuse of packaging, introduced to reduce environmental littering and increase raw material recovery rates. The new regulations are a response to EU requirements (the so-called SUP Directive) and the growing need for waste reduction. For entrepreneurs, however, they mean a range of new obligations and challenges.
How Does the Deposit System Work?
The deposit system consists of charging a deposit when selling beverages in designated packaging and then refunding this amount to the consumer when the empty packaging is returned for recycling. After use, the packaging can be returned at any collection point (e.g., a participating store or a reverse vending machine) to reclaim the deposit – without the need to present a receipt.
The condition for recovering the deposit is returning the packaging with an undamaged deposit system marking (a special logo indicating the packaging is subject to deposit), since only marked packaging is accepted in the system.
The main purpose of introducing the deposit system is environmental protection and the development of recycling. According to the Ministry of Climate and Environment, the system is intended to reduce packaging litter, increase selective collection and recycling of packaging waste, and foster positive ecological habits among consumers.
Introducing deposits on packaging will help Poland meet EU recovery targets – in the first year of the system’s operation, the required selective collection rate is 77%, rising to 90% by 2029.
Important!
What Packaging Will Be Covered by the 2025 Deposit System?
The new system will cover three types of beverage packaging (both single-use and reusable), including their caps:
- Plastic bottles (PET) up to 3 litres – deposit: PLN 0.50
- Metal beverage cans up to 1 litre – deposit: PLN 0.50
- Returnable glass bottles up to 1.5 litres – deposit: PLN 1.00
Each packaging subject to the system will be marked with a standardised deposit symbol, including the deposit amount, making it easier for consumers to identify such products. Deposit rates will be uniform across the country.
All dairy products are excluded from the deposit system – no deposit will be charged or refunded for them.
Deposit System – What Are the Obligations for Entrepreneurs?
The new regulations introduce significant obligations for businesses involved in selling beverages in deposit-covered packaging. What exactly does this mean for a retailer? To a large extent, it depends on the sales area of the retail outlet.
The general rule is: every retail unit, regardless of size, if offering beverages in deposit-covered packaging, must charge consumers a deposit when selling these products. The difference lies in the obligation to accept empty packaging (organising a deposit return point).
Entities with a Sales Area up to 200 m²
Such entities have limited obligations under the deposit system. They must add and collect deposits when selling beverages in covered packaging but are not legally required to accept empty bottles and cans (i.e., refund deposits). Participation in packaging collection is in principle voluntary for them.
Exception: If a small outlet sells beverages in returnable glass bottles (e.g., beer in returnable bottles), it must provide consumers with the possibility of returning them and reclaiming the deposit.
Additionally, every smaller entity must establish cooperation with a deposit system operator – regulations require signing an agreement with at least one authorised operator managing deposits. In practice, this means registration in the deposit system and compliance with its rules, although the actual scope of activities (e.g., accepting PET bottles and cans) may remain limited.
Entities with a Sales Area over 200 m²
Larger entities exceeding 200 m² are subject to the full scope of obligations. Each such outlet must not only charge deposits but also accept all deposit-covered packaging (bottles and cans) from consumers and refund the deposit in cash.
In practice, such entities become collection points for all deposit-covered packaging – including plastic bottles, aluminium cans, and returnable glass bottles. Consumers will be able to return empty packaging in any large store participating in the system (not necessarily the one where the purchase was made) and receive a refund.
Large stores must therefore organise designated areas for packaging collection – if no reverse vending machine is available, a manual return point must be provided. Additionally, operators of such outlets are obliged to conclude agreements with every deposit system operator active in their area.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
It is important to note that failure to comply with the new regulations may result in severe financial penalties. The law provides that the Regional Environmental Protection Inspector may impose administrative fines on entities avoiding their obligations, including:
- PLN 10,000 to PLN 1,000,000 – for failing to retain the operator agreement for the required period;
- PLN 10,000 to PLN 500,000 – for failing to charge or refund deposits;
- PLN 10,000 to PLN 50,000 – for failing to conclude an agreement with an operator;
- PLN 500 to PLN 20,000 – for failing to inform consumers about the deposit system.
It is therefore in the best interest of every entrepreneur to comply with the new regulations, as the financial risks of inaction are very high.
Why KR Group? Environmental Advisory for Your Business
The new deposit system regulations may appear complex, especially for entrepreneurs who must adapt quickly. KR Group – an experienced partner offering environmental advisory services – supports companies in preparing for the implementation of these regulations.
We encourage you to contact our experts, who will help you safely and effectively transition to the Deposit System 2025. Within the framework of cooperation, KR Group can support your company in, among others:
- Understanding new obligations – we explain the specific legal requirements and how to interpret them in the context of your business.
- Analysing sales area – we help verify the store’s size and activity scope to clearly determine which obligations apply to your business.
- Developing a compliance strategy – we prepare an action plan ensuring regulatory compliance, including a deposit system implementation schedule and required organisational and logistical changes.
- Preparing documentation and filings – we provide support in completing formalities: registration in the deposit system, concluding agreements with operators, maintaining required records, and preparing reports for authorities.
- Training staff – we conduct practical training sessions for management and employees to ensure readiness for new procedures.
With professional yet accessible support from KR Group, your company can confidently enter the new deposit system – saving time, avoiding mistakes, and minimising the risk of penalties.
