publication
2026-03-30 11:15
update
2026-03-30 11:32
Some people criticize the deposit system, others may benefit from it financially. One of Biedronka's customers recently broke a record for the amount of deposit for returned packaging. How many packages did he bring to the store?
The deposit system is still controversial. Consumers are irritated by, among others: that the stores don't have it appropriate number of machines to accept deposit packaging, so it is handled by staff, which is also too few. But there are also people who use the deposit system as a source of extra money. They know how to turn empty bottles into money and collect them.
Consumers are breaking records
In February, we wrote about the system record holder. He returned 735 empty packages in one of the Biedronka chain stores, which resulted in a voucher of PLN 367.50.
Biedronka pointed out that since the beginning of the year, the number of returns under the deposit system has been growing rapidly. In December, customers returned approx. 180 thousand packaging, while in January it was already close 8 million. This confirms that Poles are getting used to the deposit system. The number of people who bring packaging to bottle lockers and manual collection in order to make a deposit is growing.
He returned 807 packages at one time
Therefore, it was a matter of time to break the above record. Since March, we have had a new highest value of the deposit returned as part of the packaging collection. The new record holder was a customer of “Biedronka” from Wrocław. He brought it to the store 807 packages.
– The highest voucher obtained in manual collection was PLN 403.50 and was issued in a store in Wrocław at ul. Rogowska 119 – said Jan Kołodyński, corporate communication manager at the Biedronka chain, for “Fakt”.
Let's note that this is about manual collection. However, in the case of return machines packaging, the highest amount was recorded in the store in Ruda Śląska at ul. Goduli 13. The customer returned 755 packages there and received PLN 377.50 for them.
How high is the deposit and what are the refund options?
Let us remind you that the deposit system has been in force in Poland since October 1st. Consumers can receive 50 cents for plastic bottles and cans and 1 PLN for glass bottles. The system only covers packaging with a special logo on the label.
Packaging can be returned in bottle dispensers – then we receive an appropriate voucher that can be exchanged for money – or directly at the cash registers.
What's wrong with the deposit system?
What do consumers indicate as the main disadvantages of the deposit system? According to research conducted in March by the IQS Opinion Research Institute, 41 percent people is considered the main shortcoming of the system closed bottle machines. However, 32 percent respondents pay attention to packaging cannot be returned in close proximity and constantly clogged machines.
