Poland plans reforms to deposit return system amid user complaints

Poland's deposit return system is undergoing scrutiny and potential legislative reform. The Ministry of Climate and Environment is working on amendments to improve user convenience, including extending the validity of deposit vouchers. Minister Paulina Hennig-Kloska suggested that vouchers should remain valid for at least a quarter, or ideally up to six months, with legislative work expected to begin this autumn. The Ministry is also analyzing the possibility of including small single-use glass bottles in the system.

Currently, approximately 88% of returns are processed via automated machines. While over 60,000 return points exist nationwide, users have reported various issues, including machine malfunctions, long queues, and difficulties with manual returns at retail locations. Some newer machines in larger cities already allow for direct refunds to payment cards rather than traditional vouchers.

In response to these systemic frustrations, private entrepreneurial initiatives have emerged. One service, ‘Pan od Butelek’ near Poznań, offers door-to-door collection of cans and bottles, providing direct bank transfers to customers to bypass the inconveniences of the state-managed system.