Deposit System from October 1, 2025 – Key Changes for Hospitality and Retail

From October 1, 2025, Poland will introduce a new deposit system covering selected PET bottles, metal cans, and reusable glass bottles. The aim is to increase packaging collection rates, reduce waste, and place greater responsibility on producers, while setting new obligations for beverage manufacturers, retailers, and hospitality businesses.
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Pfandsystem ab dem 1. Oktober 2025 – Wichtige Änderungen für Gastronomie und Einzelhandel

Deposit System from October 1, 2025 – What Changes for Gastronomy and Retail?

From October 1, 2025, a new deposit system will be in force in Poland. Its goal is to increase the level of selective collection of packaging, reduce waste, and strengthen producer responsibility for products placed on the market.

Which packaging will be covered?

The system covers beverage packaging (juices, water, nectars, etc.):

  • single-use PET bottles up to 3 liters (including caps),
  • metal cans up to 1 liter,
  • reusable glass bottles up to 1.5 liters

Packaging for milk and dairy products, such as drinking yogurts, is excluded from the system.

Packaging will need to be marked with a special symbol and information on the applicable deposit amount (system logo + amount information).

What will the deposit be and how will the return work?

The deposit will be added at the time of sale:

  • PLN 0.50 — for PET bottles and cans,
  • PLN 1.00 — for reusable glass bottles.

Returns will be possible without a receipt if the packaging is not crushed, contains a label, and has a system code. Returns can be made via reverse vending machines or – where enabled by system operators – directly in retail outlets.

Obligations for beverage producers and distributors

Producers will face new requirements: signing a contract with the system operator, registering in the BDO register, and keeping records and annual reports. In Q4 2025, they must collect at least 77% of the volume of packaging placed on the market. From 2029, the threshold will increase to 90%.

Packaging collected outside the system will not count toward these levels; non-participation in the system means paying a product fee, and from 2026 – tripling that fee.

What does this mean for shops and gastronomy?

Obligations depend on the size of the premises. Outlets over 200 m² will be required to:

  • accept all empty packaging covered by the system,
  • charge the deposit and refund it to customers.

In premises under 200 m², the deposit will be charged obligatorily at sale, but the acceptance of packaging will be mandatory only for glass bottles – PET and cans may be accepted voluntarily.

System operators are required to provide at least one collection point in each municipality, e.g., reverse vending machines or a network of participating shops.