Highlights:

• All shops selling products bearing the deposit mark will be required to collect deposits. 
• Big shops (over 200 m²) will accept all packaging under the deposit system. 
• Small shops (up to 200 m²), as a rule, will be obliged to collect deposits only. They will also be allowed to voluntarily accept all packaging or limit acceptance to only those types of packaging that they have in their assortment. 
• Shops selling beverages in reusable glass bottles will operate a collection point for such packaging regardless of their size. 

From October, packaging marked with a deposit symbol will gradually appear on the shelves. The deposit refund-system is a solution that already works in many European countries and has proven itself in practice. Thanks to this, we are supporting the circular economy, reducing CO₂ emissions and limiting the amount of litter around us

– said Anita Sowińska, Deputy Minister of Climate and Environment. 

The role of shops in the deposit refund-system 

All shops that sell products in packaging covered by the deposit refund-system should join it. However, their obligations will vary depending on the size of the shop and the range of products: 

1. accepting and settling deposits with the operator –  this will be the obligation of all retail outlets that sell products covered by the deposit mark,
2. accepting and settling returns of packaging covered by the deposit: 

• shops with a retail area of more than 200 m2 that sell products covered by the deposit scheme, 
• smaller shops that sell products in reusable glass bottles, 
• smaller shops that voluntarily wish to accept packaging returns. 

Accepting and settling deposits with the operator 

Every shop selling beverages in packaging subject to a deposit must sign an agreement with a selected operator by 1 October this year. The scope of cooperation, deadlines for settling deposits collected and methods of reporting the quantities of beverages purchased and sold in packaging covered by the deposit refund-system must be agreed upon. A list of operators can be found online, including on the website of the Ministry of Climate and Environment. 

Acceptance and settlement of returns of deposit-bearing packaging 

Every shop required to operate a packaging collection point as part of the deposit refund-system should contact the chosen operator by 1 October, determine the scope of cooperation and sign an agreement. It is important to ensure that the agreement clearly specifies:

• the deadlines for settling collected and returned deposits, 
• the methods of reporting the quantities of beverages purchased and sold in packaging covered by the deposit refund-system,  
• the quantity of returned packaging, 
• the amount of deposits collected, returned and not returned, 
• the amount of the handling fee, i.e. the fee payable to the commercial outlet for operating the collection point. 

The above measures should also be taken by shops that are not obliged to operate a packaging collection point but wish to participate voluntarily. 

In consultation with the operator, depending on the store's capabilities, the method of collection should also be specified. This can be done manually at the checkout or at the customer service point. It is also possible to use machines offered by operators that accept packaging from customers. After accepting the deposit-covered packaging, such a machine can issue the customer with, for example, a voucher to be used for purchases. However, the customer has the right to request a cash refund, and the shop must allow this, e.g. at the checkout or customer service point. 

The introduction of a deposit refund-system will bring many benefits. It will help to reduce the number of raw materials used in the production of plastic, aluminium and glass packaging, reduce littering in parks and forests, and make it easier to understand a simple concept: packaging is a raw material that can be reused.