What is a deposit return system?
A deposit return system is simple: when you buy a drink in covered packaging, you pay an extra fee, the deposit. You get the full amount back when you return the empty packaging to a return point or a reverse vending machine.
The goal is to increase recycling and keep single-use packaging out of landfills, streets and forests. Poland joined countries such as Germany, Sweden, Norway and Denmark, where similar systems have been used for years.
When did it start? Poland's nationwide deposit return system has applied since 1 October 2025.
Which packaging carries a deposit?
Not every bottle or can in a shop is covered. The system applies to three packaging types, but only if the label shows the official deposit mark and the deposit amount.
| Packaging type | Capacity | Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Plastic PET bottle | up to 3 litres | PLN 0.50 |
| Metal can | up to 1 litre | PLN 0.50 |
| Reusable glass bottle | up to 1.5 litres | PLN 1.00 |
Important: shops may still sell older batches without the deposit mark. Those products were placed on the market before the system started and can remain on shelves until stock runs out.
How do you recognise deposit packaging?
Covered packaging has a clear deposit mark on the label, with an amount such as PLN 0.50 or PLN 1.00. If the marking is missing, the packaging is not part of the system and the shop does not have to pay a deposit for it.
If you are unsure while shopping, use the scanner in Zakaucjowani. It reads the label and tells you whether the product is covered by the deposit system.
Where can you return packaging and get the deposit back?
You can return covered packaging at any return point that accepts that type of packaging. You do not have to go back to the shop where you bought the product.
1. Reverse vending machine
These machines are usually placed near the entrance to larger grocery stores and supermarkets. You insert the packaging, the machine scans it and prints a voucher or credits a store loyalty account. Depending on the store, the voucher can be exchanged for cash or used at checkout.
2. Staffed return point
In smaller shops, or when a machine is not available, packaging can be accepted manually by staff at a dedicated point or checkout. The deposit is paid out in cash or deducted from the bill.
Do you need a receipt? No. A receipt is not required. The label and the deposit mark are what matter.
Which shops have to accept packaging?
- Shops over 200 m² must accept all packaging covered by the system.
- Shops up to 200 m² may join voluntarily or limit returns to packaging from their own range.
- Glass exception: any shop selling drinks in reusable glass bottles must participate in collecting those bottles.
What if the machine rejects your packaging?
First check whether the label is readable, dry and still attached. If a PET bottle is badly crushed, gently reshape it so the machine can move it inside. If the machine still refuses it, try a different return point. You are not tied to one store or chain.
How do you check whether a return point is working?
In practice, this is one of the biggest headaches: machines get full, break down or are temporarily switched off. Carrying a bag of packaging to a closed or broken return point is frustrating.
Zakaucjowani shows return points across Poland together with community status updates. Users confirm whether a point is currently working, so you can check before leaving home.
Key takeaways
- Poland's deposit return system has applied since 1 October 2025.
- The deposit is PLN 0.50 for PET bottles and cans, and PLN 1.00 for reusable glass bottles.
- Covered packaging has a deposit mark on the label.
- You can return packaging at any suitable return point, without a receipt.
- It is worth checking whether the point is working before you go.
Free app
Find a return point in seconds.
Return-point map, community statuses, deposit-mark scanner and return history. Free on iPhone.
