Polish president signs bill on continued operation of alternative deposit-return systems
Poland's President Karol Nawrocki signed a bill extending the operation of private, receipt-free glass bottle collection systems alongside the existing nationwide deposit-refund system until the end of 2028, according to the president's office.
The amendment to the packaging and packaging waste act allows businesses that operated their own reusable glass bottle collection systems before the 2023 nationwide deposit scheme to continue them under existing rules until end-2028. Under current law, they must be phased out by December 31, 2025.
In practice, beverage producers will be able to continue their own collection systems instead of joining the nationwide system.
However, entrepreneurs who intend to continue operating their own systems will have to notify the minister responsible for climate by the end of March 2026. These changes were sought by, among others, beer producers, who have had their own bottle collection systems and the necessary logistics infrastructure for years.
Under deposit systems separate from the general system, proof of purchase will not be required when returning bottles.
The new regulations do not exempt producers from their existing obligations, such as achieving appropriate collection levels.
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