Deposit system to add more return machines, card refunds and a fivefold fee hike from 2027

In brief

• Operators of Poland's deposit system plan at least several thousand machines that refund deposits to bank cards.
• Machines are to appear on housing estates and in tourist towns, and apps and RFID wristbands are being considered.
• 5 billion bottles and cans have been returned since the system began.
• From January 1, 2027, the product fee for producers outside the system rises fivefold, while the deposit at the till stays unchanged.

More machines and card refunds

Operators expect at least several thousand machines that pay deposits directly to payment cards to appear in Poland in the coming years (Nadchodzą zmiany w systemie kaucyjnym. Cel to jeszcze więcej butelek ze zwrotów – GazetaPrawna.pl). New units would stand at shops, on housing estates, in areas managed by housing communities and in tourist towns. Some machines would accept many containers at once, and mobile apps and RFID wristbands are also under consideration.

Five billion containers returned

5 billion bottles and cans covered by the deposit have been returned since the system started. The system has run since October 1, 2025. It covers single-use plastic bottles up to 3 litres, metal cans up to 1 litre and refillable glass bottles (Rachunek wzrośnie 5 razy. Od 1 stycznia ogromna podwyżka za butelki i puszki – wp.pl). The deposit is 50 groszy for PET bottles and cans.

Higher product fee from 2027

From January 1, 2027, the product fee for producers and importers that stay out of the nationwide collection system rises fivefold (Wielkie zmiany w systemie kaucyjnym. Będzie kolejny wzrost opłat? | Biznes Info – biznesinfo.pl). The reports give different base rates. One puts the fee at 3 zł per kilogram rising to 15 zł. Another puts it at 1 zł rising to 5 zł for plastic bottles and metal cans. The ministry told RadioZET that the lower initial rates were meant to give businesses time to adjust.

What it means for consumers

Businesses pay the product fee. The deposit charged at the till stays the same and is refunded when the container is returned. Companies that do not join the system could face a much larger bill.