Deposit Return System in Poland — What You Should Know About Returning Glass Bottles, Plastic Bottles and Cans

Deposit Return System in Poland — What You Should Know About Returning Glass Bottles, Plastic Bottles and Cans

The deposit return system is one of the most important mechanisms supporting recycling and the circular economy. In Poland, it has been in operation for decades with regard to returnable glass bottles, and from 2025 it is officially being extended to cover new categories of packaging. Whether you are an individual collecting beer bottles, a restaurant owner managing hundreds of kegs, or a shop settling accounts for beer crates — it is worth knowing the rules, rights and opportunities that the deposit return system offers you.

What Is the Deposit Return System and How Does It Work?

The deposit return system works on the principle that when you buy a drink in packaging covered by a deposit, you pay an additional, pre-determined amount — the deposit. Once the packaging is empty, you can return it and recover the amount you paid. This mechanism motivates consumers to return packaging rather than throwing it in the bin, which directly translates into higher recycling rates and a reduction in the amount of waste going to landfill.

In Poland, the deposit return system currently covers primarily:

• returnable glass beer bottles (most commonly 0.33 l and 0.5 l),
• reusable plastic beer crates,
• stainless steel kegs and barrels used in the catering industry,
• PET bottles for beverages (gradually being included in the expanded deposit system),
• aluminium cans (being incorporated into the system under new regulations).

The expansion of the deposit return system results from the EU's SUP (Single Use Plastics) Directive and the national Packaging and Packaging Waste Act. The goal is to achieve a collection rate of 90% for PET bottles up to 0.3 l by 2029.

What Packaging Is Covered by the Deposit?

Returnable Glass Bottles

These are a classic feature of the Polish deposit return system. Glass beer bottles are the most recognisable type of returnable packaging. They can be returned both in shops and at specialist collection points such as Skup Butelek Poznań at ul. Górecka 6. Importantly — bottle collection without a receipt is possible; you do not need to prove where or when you bought the drink. Check the current price list for returnable beer bottle collection to find out how much you can recover for each bottle.

PET Bottles and Plastic Beverage Packaging

Plastic bottles for carbonated drinks, juices and mineral water are part of the expanding deposit return system. At collection points such as ours, you can check the current price list for collecting cola and beverage bottles and find out what deposit rates apply to specific sizes and brands of packaging.

Plastic Beer Crates

Beer crates are collective packaging with real commercial value. Shops, wholesalers and restaurants sometimes accumulate them in large quantities. Rather than taking up valuable storage space, it is worth returning them to a collection point and receiving instant cash. You can find detailed rates in our price list for plastic beer crate collection.

Kegs and Stainless Steel Barrels

Kegs are specialist containers used primarily in the catering industry, pubs and restaurants. Their scrap and commercial value is significantly higher than that of ordinary bottles — both due to the material (stainless steel) and their size. Keg collection in Poznań is our speciality — check the price list for keg and stainless steel barrel collection for current rates.

Where Can You Return Deposit Bottles in Poznań?

Returnable bottles can be handed in at:

• supermarkets and discount stores equipped with reverse vending machines (RVMs),
• smaller grocery shops that accept packaging manually,
• specialist bottle collection points — such as our point at ul. Górecka 6 in Poznań.

Choosing a specialist collection point has several important advantages. First and foremost — bottle collection without a receipt. At our point, we do not require proof of purchase. What matters is the packaging, not the paperwork. Secondly — instant cash payment. We pay immediately, without unnecessary formalities. Thirdly — a large, convenient car park at ul. Górecka 6, so you can easily drive up with a larger quantity of bottles, crates or kegs.

We operate a fully legal business with complete BDO (Waste Database) compliance, which is particularly important for companies, restaurants and shops that are required to document their packaging waste management. If you represent a business entity and wish to settle accounts in bulk, use our online bulk valuation and enquiry form.

Deposit on Bottles — How Much Can You Recover?

The deposit amount depends on the type and capacity of the packaging. Example rates currently on the market:

• 0.5 l glass beer bottle — standard market deposit rate,
• 0.33 l glass beer bottle — slightly lower rate,
• plastic beer crate — value depending on the condition and type of crate,
• steel keg — value depending on capacity (20 l, 30 l, 50 l) and technical condition.

To find out the exact, up-to-date rates, visit our full price list for returnable packaging collection in Poznań or contact us directly.

The Deposit System and Glass Recycling — Why It Matters

Glass recycling is one of the most efficient secondary raw material processing methods. Glass can be recycled an unlimited number of times without any loss of material quality. By returning glass bottles to a collection point or the deposit return system, you directly contribute to:

• reducing demand for primary raw materials (quartz sand, limestone, soda ash),
• lowering CO2 emissions in the glass production process (melting cullet requires lower temperatures),
• reducing the amount of waste going to landfill,
• supporting the local circular economy.

It is worth remembering that returnable bottles — before they end up at a glassworks as cullet — are reused multiple times after washing and disinfection. Only when a bottle is damaged and no longer fit for reuse does it enter the recycling stream as a glass raw material. This model is significantly more environmentally friendly than single-use glass packaging.

Who Is the Bottle Collection Point in Poznań at ul. Górecka 6 For?

Our collection point serves both individual customers and businesses. Here is who most commonly visits us:

• Individual customers — people collecting beer bottles from home parties, neighbours or their own supplies.
• Restaurant owners and pub operators — accumulating large quantities of empty kegs, glass bottles and beer crates.
• Shops and wholesalers — managing the flow of returnable packaging as part of their trading activities.
• Event companies — following outdoor events, festivals and corporate functions.
• Collectors — individuals who systematically collect bottles and convert them into cash.

If you have any questions about collection terms, opening hours or current prices, visit our contact page for the bottle collection point in Poznań (Górecka 6).

What to Do With Other Metals and Cables During a Clear-Out?

It often happens that during a major clear-out, renovation or closure of a catering venue, other materials appear alongside bottles and kegs — old steel scrap, copper cables, non-ferrous metals. Rather than searching for several different buyers, it is worth knowing that the EURO-SCRAP Group operates specialist collection points. Steel scrap and non-ferrous metals are accepted by EURO-SCRAP steel and non-ferrous metal scrap collection in Poznań, while if you have copper cables, wire harnesses or electrical conductors, you can use the services of the specialist copper cable and wire harness collection point SkupKabli.poznan.pl. This way, you can resolve all matters related to disposing of unwanted secondary raw materials in a single trip.

Summary — Return Your Packaging, Recover Your Cash

The deposit return system in Poland provides a real opportunity to recover money for packaging that was already paid for when you bought the drink. There is no reason to leave that money on the table. The Skup Butelek Poznań collection point at ul. Górecka 6 is a convenient, trusted and fully legal place where you can return glass bottles, plastic beer crates and steel kegs and receive instant cash — no receipt required, no unnecessary bureaucracy, with a large car park and full BDO compliance for businesses.

We welcome both individual customers and business clients. Check our price lists, get in touch, or simply come and visit us — ul. Górecka 6, Poznań.