A bail system in Poland? Yes, but only as of October 2025
Following the example of the German Pfand deposit system, a similar solution is also to be introduced in Poland. Initially, it was planned to launch on 1 January 2025, but entrepreneurs objected, indicating that they needed more time to adapt to the new requirements. Therefore, it has been decided that the bail system in Poland will be introduced from 1 October 2025. What are its main assumptions?
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Bail system in Poland - what is it and why will it be introduced?
A deposit system is a mechanism that allows people to return plastic bottles and other packaging (such as aluminium cans or glass bottles) in exchange for money or another form of deposit. It is a way of encouraging people to donate used packaging rather than throwing it in the rubbish or on the street.
As we read on the government's the website dedicated to this initiative:
Traders introducing beverages in packaging covered by the system will be required to display a label on the packaging indicating that the packaging is covered by the deposit system and specifying the deposit amount. The system will cover single-use beverage packaging: PET bottles of up to 3 litres and metal cans of up to 1 litre, and reusable glass bottles of up to 1.5 litres.
Bail system in Poland only from October
Initially Law of 13 July 2023 envisaged the introduction of a deposit system from 1 January 2025, but representatives of the packaging industry strongly objected. They pointed out that they had too little time to adapt to the new requirements. This includes the preparation of new labels. According to the amended legislation, they will have to include a logo indicating that the packaging in question is part of the deposit system.
The government acceded to their request to postpone the launch of the system, albeit only partially. Initially, the delay was to be six months. However, it was decided that the Polish equivalent of the German Pfand system would be launched at the beginning of October 2025. The entrepreneurs, however, wanted it to be introduced only from January 2026.
The obligation to collect packaging covered by the deposit scheme will be imposed on shops over 200 square metres. Small shops of less than 200 square metres may join the scheme on a voluntary basis. The important thing is that all retailers, regardless of their size, will charge a deposit if they offer beverages in packaging covered by the system. The business profile of the shop in question is not important, but the products on offer. The government also permits the establishment of collection points for deposit packaging outside retail outlets.
How is it supposed to work?
- When you buy a drink in a package with the bail system logo, the retailer will charge you a deposit. He will add it to the price of the drink you have bought, but only at the checkout.
- You will be able to collect the deposit when you return the packaging and - importantly - you will not need a receipt to do so.
- You will return such packaging at any collection point. This may (but does not have to) be at the shop where you bought the drink
Among the benefits of introducing a packaging deposit are:
- reducing environmental pollution from packaging waste,
- increase the level of separate collection of packaging waste,
- Increase recycling rates for packaging waste,
- creating positive habits regarding waste separation.
Two sides of the coin – the bail system in Poland and BDO
What is attractive to the consumer will be an additional obligation for the trader. Entities that offer packaged beverages under the deposit scheme will have to achieve certain levels of separate collection of packaging and packaging waste (77% from 2025 and 90% from 2029). In addition, for single-use plastic bottles, entrepreneurs will have to ensure that the packaging, including its caps and lids, contains a certain percentage of recyclate by weight. This involves at least 25% of recycled plastic from 2025 and 30% from 2030.
Entrepreneurs will also be responsible for financing the system. They will therefore cover the costs associated with, among other things, the collection, collection and transport of packaging and waste, as well as the record keeping and settlement of deposits.
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