Poland's deposit system collects 1.6 billion containers in first half-year, but public criticism mounts

Collection milestones

Poland's nationwide deposit-return system, launched on 1 October 2025, had collected 1.6 billion bottles and cans by the end of May 2026, the Ministry of Climate and Environment announced on 25 June. The cumulative total rose from 28 million at the end of January to 300 million in February, 520 million in March, 1 billion in April, and 1.6 billion in May. Deputy Minister Anita Sowińska called the growth dynamic and said the system had become a natural part of daily shopping and public-space cleanliness.

After the first half-year of the deposit system's operation, we can say it has become a permanent part of our daily habits. The system has become a natural element of shopping and returning packaging, and at the same time a real tool for caring for the cleanliness of public space and the environment.

Infrastructure and criticism

Despite the rising collection figures, the system faces sharp criticism. According to research cited by Niezalezna.pl, over half of Poles assess it negatively. The main complaint is a shortage of reverse vending machines. There are about 13,000 machines nationwide, roughly five per municipality, and the pace of installation is slowing (only 1,000 added between late April and late June). By comparison, InPost parcel lockers alone exceed 27,000, and all parcel locker networks total around 70,000 units. The 32,000 return points in small shops handle only a marginal share of the waste stream, as roughly 85% of containers are returned through machines.

Poland consumes an estimated 10–13 billion PET bottles and cans annually. Over the nine months since launch, the system's capture rate hovers around 30–40%, leaving the upcoming summer consumption peak as a critical test.

Government response

Minister of Climate and Environment Paulina Hennig-Kloska, asked about jammed and overfilled machines, stressed that the system is market-based and run by private operators. She noted that the legislation was passed under the previous government and that her ministry only closed some gaps. Without the system, she argued, beverage producers would face penalties for failing to meet mandatory return levels, and municipalities would bear extra waste-management costs.

The deposit system is a free-market system, introduced and handed over to the free market. It is created by private operators. Every beverage producer in this type of packaging could register its operator and build the system.

Hennig-Kloska acknowledged that logistical difficulties are normal in the first year of any country's deposit scheme and said operators are now preparing for the holiday season.

Summer preparations and expansion plans

To handle the summer surge, operators are installing mobile reverse vending machines in tourist destinations. Operator PolKa is placing machines near beaches in Mielno, Gąski and Sarbinowo, while Kaucja.pl is introducing continuous monitoring and special tourist collection windows. The ministry also announced work on digital refund methods, including transfers to payment cards, mobile apps, and RFID wristbands for water parks. Currently, the 50-grosz deposit is returned as a voucher valid for 30 days at the same store, a model many consumers want replaced with cash.

A decision on expanding the system to include single-use glass bottles is expected in the autumn, with legislative work starting in September. Sowińska said she assumes the expansion will not be limited to small liquor bottles, but the final scope is not yet decided. A vacatio legis will give businesses time to adapt.