Poland is preparing to introduce a deposit system for plastic and glass bottles and cans. However, according to the message spread on the Internet – which has sparked discussion – deposits for some packaging have been in force since July this year. We reassure you: this is not true.
The deposit system and the consequences of its introduction in Poland are already causing discussion. The deposit amounts were recently announced, and one of the large chains shops has launched a pilot of a deposit system in Warsaw. Such moves are causing doubts among Internet users. “From today we pay a deposit for: 1. Plastic bottle 50 groszy 2. Metal can 50 groszy 3. Glass bottle 1 PLN but it will be possible to return these packages and thus get the deposit back only from January 1, 2025” – he announced July 31st by user X (original spelling of all posts). This post has almost 490k views and over 6k likes.
A post incorrectly explaining how the planned deposit system will work in Poland x.com
But there is also a lot of criticism in the comments. “Very wise, in the Polish way”; “And this is sick”; “Theft”; “Those in power are as usual in the dark a** and we pay for their coffees, lunches, pointless meetings…”; “Is that why water has become so expensive?”; “I don't know what,” wrote Internet users. Some advised to only collect bottles and cans now, and return them for a deposit only in 2025. Others asked: “And where did you get the information that the deposit is valid from today?”; “Where did you get the information?”.
However, not everyone believed this information. “From today? Why are you lying?”; “No, we are not paying from today. Who told you that?”; “Did someone help or did you come up with this fake yourself?”; “Lie. We are not paying any deposit” – they wrote.
The author of the quoted post claimed in a discussion with Internet users that “deposit fees have been in force in Poland since July 31, 2024”. To which Internet users responded: “Not true. From today, we know how much they are so that market participants can prepare. Don't mislead people”; “I was shopping today and they didn't add a deposit, so someone is causing confusion”.
We checked what it's like with this deposit for bottles and cans.
The deposit system in Poland will be launched in 2025
From January 1, 2025, a deposit system will come into effect in Poland. According to it, large stores will be required to collect three types of packaging. These are plastic bottles up to 3 liters, reusable glass bottles up to 1.5 liters and metal cans up to 1 liter. These packages must have clear and permanent marking consistent with the pattern.
Labeling of packaging in the deposit systemgov.pl/web/climate
The regulations regarding the deposit system were introduced on July 13, 2023 amendment the act on the management of packaging and packaging waste and certain other acts. The basis for the change was directive (EU) 2019/904 of the European Parliament and of the Council on reducing the impact of certain plastic products on the environment, the so-called SUP Directive.
We already know the deposit amount for packaging covered by the deposit system. It will be 50 groszy for plastic and metal bottles, and 1 złoty for glass – She announced in the regulation of July 16 of the Minister of Climate and Environment Paulina Hennig-Kloska. The regulation came into force “after 14 days from the date of announcement” – that is, on July 31. This date was given by the author of the quoted post, which sparked the discussion. However, this does not mean that we have to pay such deposits from the date of entry into force of the regulation. The regulation was adopted on the basis of art. 40m sec. 2 laws on the management of packaging and packaging waste. This provision is part of the changes introducing a deposit system in Poland, but from 2025.
It is worth paying attention to a similar provision in the amendment of June 13, 2023, which introduces a deposit system in Poland from 2025. The legislator provided that its provisions enter into force “after 30 days from the date of announcement”. The amendment announced September 12, 2023, so it entered into force on October 13, 2023. However, this fact did not mean that the deposit system had already entered into force.
The Ministry of Climate and Environment announced that the deposit system will be introduced from the beginning of 2025. he informed in June 2023, i.e. during Mateusz Morawiecki's government. The system “will be launched in 2025” – It said ministry in April 2024, i.e. already under the government of Prime Minister Donald Tusk. “The date of the actual launch of the deposit system in Poland will depend on the level of preparation and commitment of operators,” the Ministry of Climate and Environment told the Polish Press Agency in May (source: bankier.pl).
The current government He's working on its own project of amending the regulations on the deposit system. It proposes exclusion the obligation to collect dairy product packaging and create a so-called closed deposit circulation system. The project was submitted to the European Affairs Committee on 5 August 2024.
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