Poles are becoming convinced of the deposit system
The fact that the deposit system in Poland already works 88 percent know respondents, and 62 percent returns the packaging – according to a study conducted on the occasion of World Recycling Day celebrated on Wednesday. The publication noted that Poles are encouraged to use the system mainly by the desire to recover their deposit.
According to the study, 6 percent respondents believe that the deposit system will only be introduced, and another 6 percent Haven’t heard of him at all. Among people using the deposit system (62% of all respondents) 40 percent collects and returns packaging regularly, and 22 percent he does it occasionally.
Main themes
The majority of respondents, 55%, are encouraged to return packaging covered by the deposit system mainly by returning the deposit. For 37 percent it is the desire to recycle waste.
What discourages the deposit system?
On the other hand, people who do not use the deposit system do not do so for a reason lack of return points in the immediate vicinity – this was the answer chosen 34 percent respondents. 32 percent indicated a lack of space at home to store empty packagingthe same number pointed to refund machines out of order.
The publication describing the study noted that 53 percent Poles obtain knowledge about the system mainly from the Internet, 48 percent from the government campaign, and 39 percent from information about deposits on receipts.
What needs to be improved?
People returning packaging were also asked about the areas of the system that require improvement. 41 percent respondents mentioned out-of-service refund machinesa 32 percent distance from the collection point and clogged machines. 17 percent consumers also pointed to the lack of competence of store staff on the topic of the deposit system. Simultaneously 46 percent has trouble collecting packaging at home.
The survey was carried out by the IQS Opinion Research Institute for the nationwide educational campaign #rePETujemy using the CAWI method on a representative sample of 1,000 Poles.
The deposit system in Poland has been operating since October 1, 2025. For drinks in plastic bottles (up to 3 liters) and metal cans (up to 1 liter), a deposit of 50 cents is added, which can be recovered after returning the packaging. Whether a given package is covered by a deposit is indicated by the deposit sign printed on the label or can – two arrows forming a rectangle with the word “deposit” and its amount. To recover the deposit, you do not need to have a receipt, but the packaging cannot be crushed.
The purpose of the deposit system
The main goal of the deposit system is to increase the levels of separate collection of beverage packaging and achieve EU recycling thresholds. According to them, in the years 2025-2028, the level of selective waste collection is to reach 77%. in the case of single-use plastic bottles (up to 3 liters), metal cans (up to 1 liter) and reusable glass bottles (up to 1.5 liters). From 2029, this threshold will increase to 90%.
