Poland considers extending deposit machine voucher validity from 30 to 90 days

Proposed extension of voucher validity

Poland's Ministry of Climate and Environment is preparing a regulatory update that will require reverse vending machines to issue deposit vouchers with a minimum validity period of 90 days. Under existing provisions, deposit vouchers received upon returning empty beverage packaging must remain valid for at least 30 days. The ministry acknowledged that the existing 30-day window can cause customers to forfeit their deposited funds when they do not make new purchases within that initial period. Although several commercial retail chains have independently introduced longer redemption deadlines in their stores, the proposed regulation will establish a uniform nationwide baseline. The ministry outlined the proposal in a formal reply to a parliamentary inquiry, confirming that the draft regulatory impact assessment is currently undergoing internal ministry consultations. Following internal review, the document will move to the Government Programming Team alongside a request for entry into the official legislative programme of the Council of Ministers.

The ministry is considering introducing an obligation for vouchers issued by reverse vending machines to have a longer validity period, that is 90 days, so that consumers do not lose funds due to a short redemption deadline.

Rules and container categories in force

The nationwide deposit-return system began operating across Poland on 1 October 2025. Under the statutory framework, retail establishments with a commercial sales area exceeding 200 square metres are obligated to accept empty packaging marked with the deposit symbol and pay out refunds to consumers. Smaller retail stores must charge the mandatory deposit when selling packaged drinks, but their participation in receiving returned empty containers remains optional. The system currently encompasses three packaging types: plastic beverage bottles holding up to 3 litres, metal cans holding up to 1 litre, and reusable glass bottles holding up to 1.5 litres, which joined the scheme on 1 January 2026. The deposit rate is set at 50 groszy for plastic bottles and metal cans, while reusable glass bottles carry a deposit of 1 zloty. Consumers returning containers to automated reverse vending machines receive printed vouchers, which can be applied directly to reduce purchase bills or redeemed for cash, subject to individual store rules.

Future expansion to single-use glass

The proposed extension of voucher validity coincides with broader structural adjustments to the national packaging collection regime. Climate and Environment Minister Paulina Hennig-Kloska and Deputy Minister Anita Sowińska announced drafting work on an amendment that will incorporate single-use glass containers into the deposit mechanism, specifically targeting small spirit bottles known in Poland as małpki. Sowińska indicated that the ministry will outline the specific bottle volume thresholds for single-use glass containers in an upcoming announcement. Sowińska also stated that the anticipated transition period, or vacatio legis, for single-use glass obligations will span approximately two years before enforcement begins. In addition, beverage manufacturers distributing drinks in reusable glass bottles of up to 1.5 litres retain the legal right to maintain independent, private collection systems alongside the unified state framework.