Poland's bottle deposit scheme fuels illegal collection and tax debate

Poland's deposit‑return system, introduced to boost recycling of plastic bottles and metal cans, has dramatically increased the amount of material returned to automated machines. The financial incentive has also created a new social phenomenon, with many people publicly posting their earnings from collecting empties.

In the city of Stargard, the system led to a criminal incident on 31 May when a 28‑year‑old stole two bags of filled bottles. When a passerby intervened, the suspect used pepper spray before being apprehended and placed under police supervision, facing charges of aggravated theft. At the same time, the Ministry of Finance clarified that while the deposit itself is a neutral transaction, repeated collection and resale of third‑party containers may be treated as taxable income, prompting a discussion about a potential "tax on deposits".