2026-01-21 17:42
publication
2026-01-21 17:42
The Senate did not submit any amendments to the amendment to the act, which is to extend until the end of 2028 the possibility of operating private, receipt-free collection systems for reusable glass bottles in addition to the already existing nationwide deposit system. Now the novella will be sent to the president.
53 senators voted in favor of adopting a resolution on this matter, no one was against, and 31 abstained from voting.
Amendment of regulations, among others: the Act on packaging and packaging waste management was submitted by a group of MPs from KO, Polski 2050 and PSL.
It assumes that entrepreneurs who created and operated their own collection systems for reusable glass packaging (returnable bottles) before the entry into force of the 2023 Act introducing a nationwide deposit system can continue to operate them on the existing principles until the end of 2028. In accordance with the currently applicable regulations, these systems should be liquidated after the transitional period, i.e. until December 31, 2025.
In practice, beverage producers will therefore be able to continue their own collection systems, instead of joining the nationwide system. However, entrepreneurs will have to report their intention to continue to operate their own system to the minister responsible for climate by the end of March 2026. Such changes were sought by, among others, beer producers who have had their own bottle collection systems and the necessary logistic infrastructure for years.
The Act includes a condition that under deposit systems separate from the general one, proof of purchase will not be required when returning bottles.
The new regulations do not release producers from existing obligations, e.g. achieving appropriate collection levels.
Under the current general deposit system, a deposit is added for drinks in plastic bottles (up to 3 l), metal cans (up to 1 l) and reusable glass bottles (up to 1.5 l), which can be recovered after returning the packaging. The deposit is 50 groszy for plastic bottles and cans, and PLN 1 for reusable glass bottles. Whether a given package is covered by a deposit is indicated by the deposit mark printed on the label or can. These are two arrows forming a rectangle with the word “deposit” and its amount.
There was a three-month transitional period until the end of 2025, allowing producers to place packaging without the deposit mark on the market and replace it with new, deposit-proof packaging. However, it is still possible to sell previously produced products in packaging without a deposit mark, while stocks last.
Regardless of the transitional period, the regulations still give beverage producers the opportunity to decide not to join the deposit system, agreeing to pay the so-called product fee, i.e. de facto a penalty for failure to meet minimum levels of selective collection. From January 1 this year the fee has increased to encourage these producers to join the deposit system.
The main goal of the deposit system is to increase the levels of separate collection of beverage packaging and achieve EU recycling thresholds. According to them, in the years 2025-2028, the level of selective waste collection is to reach 77%. in the case of single-use plastic bottles (up to 3 liters), metal cans (up to 1 liter) and reusable glass bottles (up to 1.5 liters). From 2029, this threshold will increase to 90%.
The new regulations are generally to enter into force on the day following the date of announcement. (PAP)
bpk/ mbl/ mick/ ana/
