Poland's bottle deposit system faces consumer complaints over faulty return machines

Poland's deposit (kaucja) system, modeled after Sweden's 141‑year‑old scheme, requires a 0.50 PLN charge for plastic bottles and metal cans and 1 PLN for glass containers. The system, introduced in October 2025, allows consumers to reclaim the deposit at automated return machines (butelkomaty) or at checkout in stores larger than 200 m².

Many users report frequent machine breakdowns, long queues and store staff refusing to accept containers, leading to a surge of complaints to the Consumer Protection Office (GIOS). When a machine is inoperative, retailers must still accept eligible containers, provided they are intact, labelled and readable. Faulty machines or improperly prepared bottles (crushed, dirty, or without a clear barcode) often result in the deposit being denied. Consumers criticize the system as an extra tax and cite wasted time, fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions.

One consumer expressed frustration: "Kaucja to po prostu kolejny podatek" (the deposit is simply another tax). The debate highlights challenges in implementing the deposit scheme and its impact on shoppers and the retail sector.