Poland's deposit return system collects 5 billion containers in first year

Poland's deposit return system has collected 5 billion containers in its first year of operation, according to data from the Ministry of Climate and Environment. The system currently utilizes over 65,500 collection points and has achieved an estimated collection rate of 60%, which exceeds previous selective waste collection results.

While the scale of returns has exceeded expectations—growing from 180,000 units in the fourth quarter of 2025 to several hundred million per month—it has created significant logistical and financial pressure. Retailers and producers face rising operational costs related to transport, storage, and the management of return points. Industry representatives note that costs for sorting, warehousing, and retail handling are currently among the highest in Europe.

Consumer participation is high, with reports indicating that 93% of Poles have used the system at least once. However, technical challenges persist; users have reported issues with full or malfunctioning machines and rejected packaging. Industry leaders emphasize the need for standardized settlement processes and expanded collection infrastructure to manage the rapid growth in volume.