The launch of the deposit-refund system is fast approaching. It's important to remember this.

• The initial goal of the deposit-refund system is to collect 77 percent of packaging, and in subsequent years even 90 percent.
• Products covered by the system will be introduced gradually – as existing stocks run out.
• You won't need a receipt to return the bottle. However, you may not destroy the sticker.

"The law is to be implemented gradually, so we'll have time to get used to it. The situation reminds us of the time when waste segregation was first introduced – now we can't imagine throwing waste into one container. It's time we treated packaging similarly," emphasized Voivode Dorota Ryl.

Products covered by the system will be introduced gradually, as existing stocks are depleted. Each package will feature a clear sign with the word "DEPOSIT" and the amount. The simple rule is: if the sign appears on the bottle or can, the customer will pay a deposit upon purchase and receive it back upon return.

The deposit will cover:

• disposable plastic bottles up to 3 liters – PLN 0.50,
• metal cans up to 1 liter – PLN 0.50,
• reusable glass bottles up to 1.5 liters – PLN 1.

Importantly, the system does not cover, among others, milk, yogurt or other drinking dairy product packaging, single-use glass packaging, or milk or juice cartons.

How to prepare packaging for return? Bottles or cans must be empty, with the cap on, and undamaged. It's also important not to tear the label, which contains the system markings necessary for identifying the packaging. A receipt will not be required.

We will return the packaging to stores over 200 square meters that offer beverages in packaging covered by the deposit system, to other stores that join the system, as well as to deposit vending machines and other collection points.

The system is already operating in many European countries - it is used by over 180 million inhabitants, including Norway, the Netherlands, Croatia and Iceland.

"Poland is the seventeenth country in the European Union to join the deposit-refund system. We are among the leaders in terms of size – in Germany, the system has been operating for over twenty years, but in countries like France and Italy, it doesn't. We can boast of great success," noted Deputy Minister Anita Sowińska.

In Poland, it is expected to bring tangible benefits – less waste in the environment, more recycling and new habits related to waste segregation.

System operators, large retail chains, and a growing number of smaller stores are already ready to sign agreements. Deputy Minister Anita Sowińska announced that the initial goal is to collect 77 percent of the packaging, and in subsequent years, even 90 percent.