From midnight on October 1, the deposit system began to apply in Poland. However, he came into force only on paper. The system consists of, among others on the introduction of new packaging with code and logotype. We didn't find these in any of the stores visited.
The noise -announced, the civil revolution turns out to be yet They storm in a glass of water. From October 1, a bail system entered into force in Poland. Sales points are obliged to return the deposit for specific packaging from today marked with the code and logotype of the action.
It is about plastic disposable bottles up to 3 liters and metal cans up to 1 liter. For both types of packaging, the deposit is 50 gr. The problem is that these new marked packaging You can't find anywhere.
The deposit system starts on October 1 – as planned! We want it to be comfortable and common. The most important for the consumer will be the deposit sign with the amount on the packaging. This is a simple tip: if there is a sign, we will be able to recover money. pic.twitter.com/ou1ey23kfb
– Ministry of Climate and Environment (@MKIS_GOV_PL) Seppember 17, 2025
Little rain from the Causive Cloud
Today we visited six grocery stores taking bottles and cans. We didn't find new packaging in any of them.
A small grocery shop in Warsaw's Wola. Movement like every day, Mr. Stanisław, the owner of the store, buses behind the counter. There are no new packaging. He tells us that he will not join the system.
– I can't afford it. I would have to spend on a machine from 50,000 zloty. In addition, there is not enough space here to accommodate this product – says Mr. Stanisław.
In connection with the entry of a new system big concerns.
– Unfortunately, I'm afraid that Through this system, customers will sail away from me. The customer often goes to buy a bottle where he can return it. I will not have such a possibility, so I think that the number of buyers in the store will fall – says the owner of the shop.
New packaging? Let's sell old first
Half a kilometer away the point of sale of a certain network runs Mr. Jerzy. He declares that he will join the system – but only because it is in the aforementioned network, which translates into much lower costs. I ask if it offers new packaging on offer.
– Lord, what new? I have to sell what is in arrears first. They are all old. I will sell, there will be a place, then I will take new ones – Mr. Jerzy tells me.
– You know, these new bottles are like Yeti. Apparently they exist, but so far no one has seen them – laughs Mr. Jerzy.
Caucascular system: Patience needed
Indeed, we also did not find them in subsequent stores. So it is possible that The words of Anita Sowińska are prophetic, Deputy Minister of the Climate and the Environment, which stated that “it is possible that on October 1 there will be no packaging covered by the deposit on store shelves”.
– We have to be patient. This system is planned so that it is implemented slowly, also to give time to learn shops, operators and customers – emphasized Anita Sowińska.
Another thing is that many stores are not yet prepared to support the system in technical terms. Lidl and Biedronka officially announced that first they intend to sell “old” products With labels without a code and a deposit sign – and this may last even until the end of this year. Over time, a new marked assortment will be implemented, but it is not yet.
Symbolic start. We start the transition period
It can therefore be said that The input of the deposit system was symbolic. It does not mean that we will pay a deposit on October 1 and receive a refund.
This date should be treated rather as The beginning of the transition period, the so -called starting, which will last for the next three months. Time to “sell out” the existing goods without codes and logos until December 31.
– To our knowledge, shops are currently very well suited. I can't imagine the same product on the shelf – One of the deposit logo and the other without. Shops must first sell the goods they have and then get wet with bullets – says Janusz M. Kamiński, spokesman for Eneris and Reselect, a Polish deposit system operator in an interview with finance.wp.pl.
Lazy entrance. Nobody is in a hurry
According to him, the first packaging that will meet the requirements of the bail system will go to stores at the turn of October and November. However, for the system to develop fully and become universal, you will have to wait even longer.
– I think that in six months we should have most of the new packaging on the market – said Deputy Minister Anita Sowińska.
Producers of drinks, shops and operators have a lot of time – it explains why They are not in a hurry to enter the new program. A large cailive system operator admitted in an interview with Rzeczpospolita that none of the large producers cooperating with him would introduce glass goods this month. The same is true for smaller operators.
– The vast majority of our clients plan to fully implement new packaging only from January 1, 2026 – says Katarzyna Bojko, Sales Director at the National Capeting System.
Caucascular system: What will we return?
Let us remind you, you can return only the packaging marked with the logo and code of the deposit system. To recover the deposit, you have to pay it first. Therefore, we will not return a bottle or can in the system that we currently have at home, because it does not have the required logo and code.
The system includes plastic disposable bottles up to 3 liters and metal cans up to 1 liter, while from December 1 They will also be in it glass bottles of reusable up to 1.5 liters (deposit for them will amount to PLN 1).
How to bypass the system? Manufacturers already know
Let's add that the first has already appeared Ways to bypass the deposit system. As we mentioned, the deposit system includes plastic bottles with a capacity of up to 3 liters. Meanwhile, Kaufland launched a bottle of Ustronianka with a capacity of … 3.001 liters.
All this to avoid adding a deposit to it. As a result, the product has a lower price. The Kaufland method has become an internet hit. We describe me here more.
A Pole can – from today there is an EU bailing system that will cover disposable PET bottles with a capacity of up to 3 liters
Well, we have bottles with a capacity of 3.001 liters! pic.twitter.com/2qz4zms2lm
– Bronisław Foltyn 🇵🇱 (@bronislawfoltyn) Seppember 30, 2025
Where can you return the packaging?
They are obliged to accept packaging and paying deposit to clients stores with an area of over 200 sq m, which sell drinks in the above -mentioned bottles and cans. They also found themselves in the system smaller points of sale, in which you can buy glass bottles of reusable. In turn, the owners of other smaller stores They can decide themselves do they want to join the Caurition System.
They should be a popular option Cause machines, which are already in many shopping points. In addition to them, municipalities may appear Additional collection places. According to the law, every commune must be found at least one point packaging reception.
In what form can you get a deposit for the packaging?
For the packaging, the consumer may receive a deposit in cash, pre -paid or in the form of a voucher. The aforementioned voucher will be available at the store's ticket office Replace with cash.
This option was introduced due to the vending machines – the form of the voucher means that you will not have to supply them with coins. According to the Ministry, the voucher should be valid for at least a month. We wrote more about the options of the vouchers here.
Packaging requirements
Importantly, wanting to return the packaging, You don't have to have a receipt. However, it should be remembered that the packaging cannot be crushed. In addition, he must have a clear label and a bar code. It is worth adding that the return of the packaging will not mean the need to make purchases at a given point.
Caucascular system He did not embrace the packaging After milk, yogurt and other drinking dairy products, as well as single -use glass packaging. The system was not found either Multi -material packaging – Milk and juice cartons.
What to do with packaging that is outside the system?
Cans and bottles that have not been included in the correct system can still be thrown into the appropriate waste container. Plastic and metal and multi -material packaging should be uploaded to the yellow container.
It is worth remembering that the refund for the packaging will be added to the price Not only in stores selling drinks covered by the system. The deposits will also break restaurants and offering points Sale of take -out products.
