Deposit System to Change: New Rules for Vouchers and Fees for 'Small Bottles'

Poland's deposit system is undergoing significant revisions, with new rules planned for voucher validity and the inclusion of previously excluded packaging. Minister of Climate and Environment Paulina Hennig-Kloska announced that a government work registry application for these changes will appear in the fall, accompanied by a new bill.

“

Such an application for entry into the government's work registry will certainly appear in the fall; we are working on a bill.

A key change involves extending the validity period of vouchers received for returned packaging. Currently, these vouchers have a short validity, but the ministry proposes a minimum of three months, with Hennig-Kloska suggesting six months would also be acceptable. Additionally, modernized collection machines that allow for deposit returns via mobile payments like Blik or card are already in operation, a feature the minister highlighted as highly desirable.

“

In my opinion, the new validity period for vouchers for returned packaging should be at least a quarter. Three months seems to be the minimum, and nothing would happen to anyone if it were even six months.

The deposit system is also set to expand its scope. The ministry plans to include 'small bottles' – referring to small, non-returnable glass containers – within the system. This expansion, along with the extended voucher validity, will be addressed in a single legislative act. Hennig-Kloska assured that existing reverse vending machines would not need replacement, as glass packaging was initially intended for the system, and most collection points should already be adapted.

“

This is the most desirable element of solving the problem of deposit returns.

Regarding the financial aspects, Hennig-Kloska stated that producers will ultimately bear the full cost of the packaging return system. A bill regulating this, concerning extended producer responsibility (ROP), is reportedly nearing completion and is expected to be submitted to parliament in the fall. Since the system's launch on August 20, approximately 3.2 billion packages had been collected by the end of July 2026. Large stores (over 200 sq. m.) are mandated to accept returned packaging and refund deposits starting October 1, 2025, while smaller stores have a voluntary option.

“

We are working on a bill comprehensively, (meaning) expanding the deposit system to include this element of small non-returnable glass in the form of 'small bottles' and regarding the extension of the voucher.