Poland expands bottle deposit scheme with cash refunds and new digital tools

Poland's beverage deposit system, in force since 1 October 2025, requires a 0.50 zł charge for PET bottles and cans and 1 zł for reusable glass containers. The deposit is reclaimed when the empty is returned to a collection point.

Recent developments include a petition calling for a 10 % bonus on returned deposits, a new online EAN‑code lookup that instantly shows whether an item is covered and the amount due, and the rollout of “butelkomaty” that credit refunds directly to customers’ payment cards. Operators such as Kaucja.pl, PolKa and Reselekt have begun installing machines that dispense cash to cards, with plans to reach several thousand units nationwide within the next few years.

The Ministry of Climate and Environment says unclaimed deposits are not profit for operators; the funds are used to maintain and expand the system’s infrastructure, logistics and digital services. Inspections by regional environmental offices have not yet been carried out, despite legal requirements for regular oversight.