In the next few years, Poland may introduce at least several thousand machines that refund deposits directly to payment cards, according to information obtained from deposit system operators. These machines are already being installed, primarily in major cities, although their numbers are still limited.
As of June 2023, data from the climate ministry indicated that Poland had 64,000 collection points, with nearly 14,000 (21%) of those equipped with machines. These machines are responsible for collecting 87% of containers marked for refunds. Additionally, there are over 200 collection points outside of stores located in residential areas, tourist destinations, and workplaces.
Most refund machines in stores typically issue a voucher equivalent to the deposit, which can be redeemed for purchases or exchanged for cash, although the latter often requires a trip to the cash register.
Meanwhile, as announced by the climate and environment ministry in late June, operators are working on new solutions for refunding deposits, including directly onto payment cards, mobile applications, and RFID wristbands for use in water parks.
Operators Begin Launching These Machines
Several operators within the deposit system have confirmed to PAP that they are working on or have already started installing machines that refund deposits directly onto payment cards. These machines are primarily being placed in residential areas within large Polish cities. Operators also indicated that launching more advanced devices, such as those that accept multiple containers simultaneously or allow for the inflation of crushed bottles, poses a challenge due to the high costs of such machines.
Kaucja.pl is already installing machines that allow refunds to payment cards, particularly in housing cooperatives and residential communities. The company stated that it plans to set up over 500 such devices in and around Warsaw, with a total of 4,000 expected throughout Poland in the next 3-4 years.
Dariusz Dworzecki from Kaucja.pl reported that approximately 15 machines are being installed weekly. “Once we reach about 120 active machines in Warsaw, the project will expand to other large cities, including Łódź, Poznań, Wrocław, Kraków, and the Silesian region. This means that solutions enabling direct refunds to accounts or cards will become gradually more available,” he informed.
PolKa — Polska Kaucja is also rolling out machines in residential areas where deposits are refunded directly onto payment cards. These machines are operating in locations such as Zamość and Warsaw’s Białołęka, with plans for further deployment. Additionally, PolKa aims to launch machines capable of accepting multiple containers at once.
Reselekt also plans to install several devices across various regions of Poland that refund deposits directly to payment cards. According to their statements to PAP, these machines could enhance the convenience of using the deposit system in areas where “the machine is not directly linked to a single store,” such as tourist and transportation hubs.
