Deposit return schemes and plastic bags in Poland (2026)
Last reviewed: 30 October 2026
In short: Poland has had a national deposit return system for drinks packaging since 1 October 2025: PLN 0.50 on single-use plastic bottles up to 3 litres and metal cans up to 1 litre, PLN 1 on reusable glass bottles up to 1.5 litres. Plastic carrier bags supplied in shops carry a recycling fee of PLN 0.20 per bag, except very light bags for hygiene or loose food.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| National deposit return scheme in operationDeposit on drinks containers | Yes [1] |
| Containers coveredDeposit on drinks containers | Single-use plastic bottles up to 3 litres, Metal cans up to 1 litre, Reusable glass bottles up to 1.5 litres, Only packaging with the deposit-system mark and deposit amount on the label [2] |
| Deposit per containerDeposit on drinks containers | 0.50 PLN per container [2] |
| Deposit per containerDeposit on drinks containers; Reusable glass bottles | 1.00 PLN per container [2] |
| Plastic carrier bag rulePlastic carrier bags | Charge required [3] |
| Price of plastic carrier bagsPlastic carrier bags | Shops and wholesalers must charge the customer a recycling fee of PLN 0.20 per plastic carrier bag provided in the shop, with or without handles. The fee is not charged for very light bags (under 15 microns) needed for hygiene or offered as the primary packaging of loose food. [3] |
| Bag thickness rulePlastic carrier bags | The fee applies to plastic shopping bags below 50 microns (lightweight bags) and to those of 50 microns and thicker. Very light bags (under 15 microns) for hygiene or loose food are exempt from the fee. [3] |
Notes
- Reusable glass bottles up to 1.5 litres carry a deposit of PLN 1.00 (separate rule below). Deposit is added at the till and returned in full when the packaging is returned; no receipt is needed.
- Applies to reusable glass bottles up to 1.5 litres only.
- The page is written for shops and wholesalers: the recycling fee is collected from the customer who packs goods in a plastic bag supplied by the shop. It is a charge, not a ban.
Sources
- Ministerstwo Klimatu i Środowiska (gov.pl): Pytania i odpowiedzi (system kaucyjny) (consulted 30 October 2026) · all sources
- Wojewódzki Inspektorat Ochrony Środowiska w Katowicach (gov.pl): System kaucyjny umożliwia zwrot wybranych opakowań po napojach i odzyskanie zapłaconej kaucji. Sprawdź, które opakowania podlegają zwrotowi, ile wynosi kaucja oraz jakie prawa przysługują klientowi (consulted 30 October 2026) · all sources
- biznes.gov.pl (Ministerstwo Rozwoju i Technologii): Wpis do rejestru BDO (sklepy i hurtownie, które podlegają opłacie recyklingowej za torebki foliowe) (consulted 30 October 2026) · all sources
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.