Anita Sowińska
Photo: Adrian Grycuk, CC BY-SA 3.0 pl (Wikimedia Commons, cropped)
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- Oct 12
Poll: 49% of Poles find the deposit system inconvenient, 47% convenient
A CBOS survey conducted from 14 to 27 September 2026 finds the system, in force since 1 October 2025, is rated inconvenient by 49% and convenient by 47%. Storing empty containers at home is the most cited complaint, at 44%.
- Oct 6
Poland considers extending deposit machine voucher validity from 30 to 90 days
The Ministry of Climate and Environment is drafting rules to triple the minimum validity period for recycling machine vouchers to 90 days, preventing shoppers from losing unclaimed container refunds.
- Sep 30
Poland collects 5 billion containers in deposit system's first year and plans glass expansion
Poland gathered 5 billion beverage containers with a 60% efficiency rate during the first year of its nationwide deposit-return scheme, as the climate ministry prepared to extend coverage to single-use glass bottles.
- Aug 21
Poland collects 3.2 billion deposit containers as ministry moves to extend voucher validity
Poland collected 3.2 billion deposit containers through July 2026 as the climate ministry prepared legislation to extend voucher validity and include single-use glass.
- Aug 3
Poland’s government removes free tap water rule from bill, coalition minister vows to bring it back
Poland's government has backtracked on a plan to require restaurants to serve free tap water, removing the provision from a packaging waste bill just days before it was due to take effect. A senior minister from a coalition partner immediately promised to fight for its return.
- Jun 26
Poland's deposit system collects 1.6 billion containers in first half-year, but public criticism mounts
The government touts rapid growth, but over half of Poles rate the system negatively and complain about too few reverse vending machines.
