Poland’s Deposit System Delayed: New Launch Date Set for October 1, 2025

The Sejm has passed an amendment to the deposit system act, delaying the launch of the system to October 1, 2025.

As reported by experts from the Business Centre Club and other organizations, along with representatives of commerce – firms require time to appropriately adjust logistics and arrange cooperation with the deposit system operator.

In response to proposals concerning the postponing of the deposit system’s commencement, the date has been moved to October 1, 2025.

This will allow the industry time to finalize preparations for launching the system and plan a smooth transition into the established deposit systems. The extra nine months of preparation will allow not only for the market to adjust to the new regulations but also to conduct informative campaigns aimed at building broader consumer awareness. On the other hand, launching the system still in 2025 will allow initiators and operators to commence activities in the deposit system in the first year of the mandatory EU levels of selective packaging waste collection. – we read in the letter by Anita Sowińska, the Undersecretary of State in the Ministry of Climate and Environment, addressed to the Business Centre Club.

Krzysztof Hornicki, the BCC expert on environmental protection and the chairman of the BCC Commission for Waste Management positively assesses the amendments to the bill.

It’s also beneficial to plan a transitional period during which entrepreneurs will be able to legally introduce earlier produced beverages in packages, constituting their stock and storage states – claimed the BCC expert.

The objective of implementing the deposit system is protecting the environment through promoting recycling (encouraging consumers to return packages) and reducing the amount of waste produced. Consumers will be obligated to pay an additional fee upon purchasing goods in selected packages, which will be refunded after their return to the collection point.

The deposit system imposes new duties on manufacturers, importers and other entities introducing packages to the market. Upon the new regulations taking effect, these entities will be obligated to collect packages, under the penalty of having to pay a product fee for every kilogram of resources left on the market.

The deposit system will apply to the following types of packaging:

• single-use plastic bottles for drinks up to 3 liters in capacity
• single-use metal cans for drinks up to 1 liter in capacity
• multipurpose glass bottles for drinks up to 1.5 liters in capacity

Retail and wholesale units with a sales area exceeding 200 m² will be obligated to collect deposits from consumers, along with accepting beverage containers and returning the collected deposit.

Shops and wholesalers with a sales area not exceeding 200 m² will also have to collect deposits from consumers, while collecting empty packages and returning the deposit will be optional for them.