Poland's container deposit scheme records high refunds and braces for summer surge

Poland's deposit‑return system, launched on 1 October 2025, is rapidly gaining traction. Major retailers Biedronka, Lidl and Kaufland reported the highest single‑issue vouchers, with individual returns reaching several hundred złoty – for example, a customer who handed in 7 851 bottles and cans received 3 925.50 zł. Community actions, such as a school collection that gathered nearly 40 000 containers, have also contributed to record‑breaking totals and drawn media attention.

The system faces its first major stress test this summer as higher temperatures and holiday travel are expected to lift the volume of returned containers by tens of percent, especially in tourist areas. Operators stress the need for more reverse‑vending machines, multi‑feed units and AI‑supported logistics to avoid queues. As Envipco Poland’s Business Development Manager Rafał Staniszewski notes, the season will examine “the entire chain – identification, storage, transport and sorting” and will determine whether new technologies can keep pace with consumer demand.