The Deposit Return System in Poland – A Revolution in Packaging Circulation
From 2025, Poland is implementing a mandatory deposit return system (DRS) covering PET plastic bottles up to 3 litres, reusable glass bottles up to 1.5 litres, and aluminium cans up to 1 litre. This is one of the most significant changes in waste collection organisation in years. For municipalities, businesses and everyday consumers, it brings new obligations – but also new opportunities, particularly when it comes to recovering secondary raw materials such as glass, aluminium and plastics.
How Does the Deposit Return System Work in Practice?
The principle is straightforward: when you buy a drink in a covered packaging, you pay a deposit. When you return the empty packaging at a designated collection point, you get your money back. In theory, this sounds like the perfect solution to littering. In practice, however, implementing the system raises many questions – especially from the perspective of local authorities and businesses involved in recycling.
What About Waste That Falls Outside the Deposit Return System?
The deposit return system does not cover all types of glass, let alone non-ferrous metals, cables or scrap metal. A large proportion of valuable secondary raw materials continues to flow to collection points such as EURO-SCRAP – and that will not change. Moreover, growing environmental awareness means that more and more individuals and businesses are looking for reliable places where they can hand in recyclable materials and earn money at the same time.
The Municipal Perspective – An Opportunity or a Threat to Municipal Recycling?
Municipalities view the deposit return system with mixed feelings. On one hand, fewer packaging wastes in the municipal stream means less pressure on recycling centres (PSZOKs) and lower sorting costs. On the other hand, a real risk emerges: if glass bottles and aluminium cans flow en masse to the DRS operator, municipalities may record a drop in the volume of packaging waste collected, which directly affects the recycling targets required by EU and national regulations.
Waste System Funding and Revenue from Secondary Materials
Until now, some municipalities have partially funded their waste management systems through revenues from the sale of sorted materials – metals, glass and paper. Removing the most valuable glass and aluminium packaging from the municipal waste stream may reduce income from their sale. This is a genuine budgetary challenge for smaller municipalities, which will now need to seek alternative sources of funding or cut costs elsewhere.
Glass Recycling – What Happens After the Deposit Is Introduced?
Glass is a material that can be processed almost indefinitely without any loss of quality. The deposit return system covers only returnable bottles intended for refilling – and that is an important distinction. Broken glass, jars, window panes and other types of glass waste continue to flow through traditional recycling channels. It is also worth knowing that there are specialist services, such as glass bottle buy-back, where glass packaging can be handed in outside the official deposit system – particularly useful for the catering industry and retail shops.
Aluminium and Metals – Outside the Deposit System, but Still Valuable
The deposit return system covers aluminium cans, but only those containing beverages. Aluminium scrap, however, is a far broader category: profiles, sheets, castings, electrical cables, window frames and alloy wheels. These materials do not go into deposit return machines – they go to scrap and non-ferrous metal dealers such as EURO-SCRAP.
At our collection points, we accept aluminium in every form – from cables to industrial waste. We weigh materials on certified scales, issue documentation compliant with the BDO waste database requirements, and set prices based on current market exchange rates. You do not need to guess how much you will receive for your material – everything is transparent and settled on the spot.
Copper Cables and Copper Scrap – Independent of the Deposit Return System
Copper is one of the most valuable non-ferrous metals on the secondary raw materials market. The purchase of copper cables, copper scrap from electrical installations, pipework and industrial equipment is at the core of EURO-SCRAP's operations. Global copper prices remain at high levels, which translates into attractive rates at our collection points.
We serve both private individuals and businesses from across the Wielkopolska region. If you are looking for a collection point in your area, we invite you to visit our locations – including scrap yard Leszno, scrap yard Ostrów Wielkopolski and scrap yard Wolsztyn.
What Does the Deposit Return System Mean for Recycling Companies?
Recycling companies and scrap collection points must keep track of legislative changes, as these affect the availability of individual material fractions. However, the introduction of the deposit return system does not eliminate the demand for non-ferrous metals, steel scrap, waste paper or cables – quite the contrary. Some businesses are beginning to sort their waste more carefully and are looking for channels where they can sell it advantageously. This opens up new opportunities for companies such as EURO-SCRAP.
BDO – The Obligation to Document Waste
Every business that transfers waste to a collection point should be aware that some of it must be documented in the BDO system (Waste Database). EURO-SCRAP operates in full compliance with these regulations – we are registered in BDO and issue all required documents confirming the transfer and acceptance of waste. This is particularly important for businesses that need to demonstrate proper waste management to regulatory authorities.
Waste Paper and Glass – Don't Forget Other Secondary Materials
In addition to metals, EURO-SCRAP also accepts waste paper and glass. Paper and cardboard recycling is enormously important for the environment – producing paper from recycled material consumes several times less energy than manufacturing it from virgin raw materials. Packaging glass that falls outside the scope of the deposit return system can be handed in at a collection point and, instead of ending up in landfill, is processed into new products.
EURO-SCRAP – Your Local Collection Point in Wielkopolska
Regardless of how the deposit return system and recycling regulations evolve, one thing remains constant: valuable secondary raw materials have buyers and real market value. EURO-SCRAP has been collecting scrap metal, non-ferrous metals, copper and aluminium cables, waste paper, glass and kegs across Poznań and the entire Wielkopolska region for many years.
- Weighing on certified scales – results are indisputable
- BDO documentation for businesses and entrepreneurs
- Current prices based on market exchange rates
- Service for both private individuals and companies
- Multiple locations across Wielkopolska – close to you
Check our locations: scrap yard Witkowo and scrap yard Luboń – we accept materials throughout the working week.
Source of inspiration: Portal Komunalny
