Konfederacja submits bill to abolish Poland's deposit-return system

Members of the Konfederacja party have submitted a legislative project to the Sejm aimed at abolishing Poland’s deposit-return system for beverage packaging. The project, spearheaded by MP Grzegorz Płaczek and signed by 17 parliamentarians, argues that the system—which has been in effect since October 2025—is “fundamentally flawed” in both its legislative and practical implementation.

Critics cited in the proposal highlight several issues: the financial burden on families, the inconvenience of being unable to crush containers before returning them, and the technical failures of recycling machines, which reportedly reject approximately 35% of attempts due to labeling or shape issues. The project also claims the system discriminates against elderly citizens and residents of rural areas where access to automated collection points is limited.

In response to criticisms of the system, the operator Kaucja.pl has announced plans to simplify the process by introducing hundreds of new machines, particularly in the Mazovia region, that allow for direct refunds to payment cards rather than paper vouchers. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski defended the concept of recycling, refuting suggestions that collecting materials is undignified.

While the project introduces a significant debate regarding environmental policy and consumer convenience, the deposit system remains fully operational pending any legislative changes.