When will the bail system in Poland really take off?
Long announced bail system in 2026 of the year is set to become a reality, although its launch is raising many emotions and questions. According to the latest confirmed information, the launch date has been postponed to give businesses and operators more time to prepare.
Since when has the bail system been in operation in Poland? The official launch date, which will bring real changes for consumers and shops, is expected to be 1 January 2026. This key bail law aims to revolutionise the country's waste management by drastically increasing separate collection levels
and recycling of packaging.
What packaging will be covered by the deposit?
One of the most frequently asked questions is this, which packages will be covered by the deposit. The system will cover three main categories of beverage packaging, which is key to reducing the amount of waste going to landfill or into the environment.
Detailed list of packages in the deposit system
According to the regulations, deposit for bottles and cans will be collected from the following types of packaging:
- Plastic bottles (PET) disposable with a capacity of up to 3 litres
(e.g. after water, juices, fizzy drinks). - Metal cans (aluminium and steel) disposable with a capacity of up to 1 litre
(e.g. after energy drinks, beer). - Glass bottles reusable with a capacity of up to 1.5 litres
(These packs already often come with a deposit, but the system is intended to standardise this).
Obligations of shops in a deposit scheme - what does a trader need to know?
New bail law imposes specific obligations on shops, However, these vary depending on the retail area of the outlet. This is fundamental knowledge for any retail business owner.
Large format shops (over 200 m²)
Retail outlets with a surface area of more than 200 m² that offer beverages in packaging covered by the scheme will have obligation collection of empty packaging. This implies the need to organise a point where consumers can make a bottle returns and cans. These shops will have to sign a contract with the system operator and account for the deposit collected and the packaging transferred. In practice, this will usually mean installing vending machines (so-called recyclers) or organising manual collection.
Smaller retail establishments (less than 200 m²)
For smaller shops, those under 200 m², mandatory collection of packaging will not be the rule,
versus voluntary. Smaller shops will be able to join the collection system, but they will not
legally compelled. However, every shop, regardless of size, which sells products
in deposit packs, will have to collect the deposit from the customer and pay it to the operator.
The deposit system from a consumer perspective
For customers, the most important change will be the introduction of a fixed deposit fee added to the price of the product. The aim is to incentivise returns, rather than treating the packaging as mere rubbish.
How will bottle return and deposit recovery work?
The key and most positive change for the consumer is the principle that deposit for bottles will be returned without having to show the purchase receipt. Empty packaging will be able to be returned at any collection point (mainly shops over 200 m²). In order to reclaim the deposit, the packaging will have to be in the right condition - uncrushed, complete and with a readable barcode that allows identification in the system.
Challenges and support for entrepreneurs
There is no doubt that bail system 2026 is a logistical, financial and organisational revolution for many companies. Responsibilities of shops in the bail system generate the need to adapt storage space, train staff and implement new billing procedures.
It is easy to get lost in the maze of new regulations and the penalties for non-compliance can be severe. Prepare your business for the new regulations with our environmental consulting, to ensure smooth implementation and full compliance with the Act.
Summary and related topics
The new start date for the system is not the only change that has occurred in the bill. To fully understand the evolution of the legislation, check out what changes await the bail system and what the original intentions were.
It is also worth remembering that bail law is part of the European Union's wider strategy for a circular economy. Its framework includes The Plastics Directive (SUP). What is it and what changes is it introducing?, which we also write about in our knowledge base.
