Lidl ready for the bail system. The bottle is already in every store

The start of the deposit system in Poland is fast approaching. Its purpose is to increase the level of collection and recycling of bottles and cans. Lidl is already prepared for these changes, who installed bottles in all its stores.

Lidl argues that sustainable development and social responsibility are inscribed in the organizational culture and the company's identity. The first tests of bottles for PET plastic bottles started in 2022. In February 2025, the service was expanded to include cans collection. From April 2025, bottles that allow customers convenient packaging are available in all Lidl Polska stores.

Since the start of Lidl Polska tests, it has already collected 15 million PET plastic bottles and over 1 million cans, with a total weight of nearly 400 tons, which is as much as the largest passenger aircraft in the world weighs! The record holder in the collection is the Lidl store in Gogolin. The collected cans and bottles allowed to reduce the number of waste and save raw materials. Now Lidl Polska is starting with a campaign, aimed at encouraging network customers to actively participate in the new system and show that the return of bottles and cans can be simple, fast and comfortable – we read in a press release.

Give back – recover! How does it work?

The process of returning plastic bottles and cans in bottles located in Lidl Polska stores has been designed with the convenience of customers:

1. Just bring bottles or cans to the store and make sure that they have labels. Let's not crush bottles! The packaging should be in its original form – without creases.
2. Then put them in the machine – the bottlekkomat will automatically recognize and register the packaging.
3. Finally, the bottle -mate will give a printout with a discount on shopping, which can be realized within 30 days only in the Lidl store, where it was printed from the machine.

Thanks to this solution, network customers can buy products and return packaging in one place.

What are the rules for returning bottles and cans?

Bottlekomas take plastic bottles after drinks to a capacity of 3 liters and metal cans up to 1 liter – these do not have to be products purchased at Lidl Polska, you can also return bottles from other manufacturers and purchased in other commercial networks. The can and/or a plastic bottle will be accepted if it is not significantly crushed or damaged, has a manufacturer's label (a clear bar code is necessary), it is completely emptied from the drink and devoid of internal or external dirt, which may hinder the assessment of its shape, weight and material from which it is made. The bottle may have a cap, but it does not have to. Importantly, the machine, according to the legal regulations of the deposit system, does not take packaging after dairy and oil.

Little gesture – a great turn for nature

– Environmental protection and concern for the planet are key values ​​for Lidl Polska. In our business, we focus on innovative recycling solutions, responsible water and raw materials management, as well as reducing greenhouse gases. We believe that the deposit system is a key step on the way to achieving our environmental goals. We want the collection of packaging to become something natural for our customers. That is why we want them to be able to get to know and test this solution in practice today. We are convinced that education with practical experience is the best way to the success of the whole system – emphasizes Aleksandra Robaszkiewicz, director of Corporate Affairs and CSR at Lidl Polska.

Ed. Jm