The introduction of the deposit-refund system in Poland, scheduled for January 2025, will bring significant changes for consumers. This system, while focused on recycling and waste reduction, will also indirectly impact everyday shopping and consumer habits.
Understanding the Deposit-Refund System
The first and most important aspect consumers will need to address is understanding the deposit-refund system itself. In short, every time a customer purchases a beverage in a container covered by the system, they pay an additional deposit fee. This deposit can be recovered when the empty container is returned to one of the designated collection points. It is important for customers to be aware of which containers are covered by the deposit-refund system, where they can return them once they are empty, and how they can get their money back. You can read about which containers are covered by the deposit-refund system in this article.
Changes in everyday shopping
Customers will notice the changes at the checkout, where the deposit amount will be added to the price of some drinks. This may cause some resistance. However, it’s worth remembering that this additional fee isn’t a loss for the consumer – rather, it’s a deposit that can be recovered, although it does require additional effort on the part of consumers in collecting and then taking empty containers to collection points. The deposit amount, which will be collected upon purchase and then refunded, will be easily visible on the packaging.
Returning Packaging – A New Routine
Returning packaging will become a new routine for many Poles. Empty bottles and cans will have to be dropped off at collection points located in stores, shopping malls, or other designated locations. Customers will have to plan how and when they return their packaging to get their deposit back. This may mean additional visits to the store, but it will also promote greater environmental awareness.
A significant change concerns the condition of returned packaging. Previously crushed cans and plastic bottles will have to be delivered intact to collection and deposit points, allowing for better identification, sorting, and more efficient processing.
Impact on Environmental Awareness The deposit-refund system aims not only to increase separate collection rates but also to facilitate recycling and raise environmental awareness. Customers, seeing the direct financial benefit of returning packaging, may become more aware of waste and recycling issues. The deposit, in a sense, adds value to the packaging, which ceases to be considered useless waste in the minds of consumers. This can lead to changes in attitudes toward shopping and consumption, promoting more sustainable behavior.
Long-Term Benefits
The introduction of a deposit-refund system in Poland is a significant step towards sustainable development and improved waste management. For consumers, this not only means a change in their daily shopping habits but also the opportunity to actively participate in environmental protection. These changes may seem challenging at first, but in the long term, by increasing recycling rates and reducing waste, the system will contribute to environmental protection, bringing benefits to both individual consumers and society as a whole.
