Bottle deposit – does it make sense? We look at the pros and cons

 

We are hearing more and more about the introduction of a deposit system for bottles. For some, it’s a step towards ecology; for others, an unnecessary complication of everyday shopping. The goal of this solution is to encourage consumers to return used bottles, thereby reducing the amount of waste that ends up in the environment.

Although this model has been in place for years in many European countries, it is only now being introduced in Poland. It is therefore worth taking a closer look – does a bottle deposit really make sense, and what are its benefits and challenges?

 

Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Where did the idea of a bottle deposit come from?
3. Advantages of the deposit system
4. Disadvantages and drawbacks of the system
5. Does the deposit system really solve the plastic problem?
6. Alternatives: environmentally friendly materials
7. Summary
8. FAQ

 

Where did the idea of a bottle deposit come from?

How does the system work in theory?

In theory, the deposit system is meant to be simple and transparent. When purchasing a drink, the customer pays an additional amount – a deposit – added to the product’s price. After finishing the beverage, they can return the bottle to a store or return point, receiving the money back in cash or as a discount coupon. This way, packaging returns to the system, and the collected materials are recycled or reused multiple times.

The aim is to create a closed-loop system in which raw materials are not wasted but remain in use for as long as possible. This system is therefore an important element of the circular economy, reducing waste and lowering the demand for new materials.

What does it look like in practice?

In practice, the deposit system varies from country to country. In some places, such as Norway or Germany, it operates very efficiently – deposit machines in stores accept bottles and cans, recognize barcodes and material types, and then print a receipt with the refund amount.

In other countries, the system is still developing and requires logistical improvements. The key factors are the number of collection points, consumer convenience, and clarity of rules. The easier the return process, the more effective the entire solution becomes.

Where can bottles be returned?

Bottles and cans can most often be returned at:

• large shops and supermarkets,

• deposit machines,

• selected collection points run by retail chains,

• and in some countries also in recycling centers or mobile collection points.

For example, in Poland it is planned that larger stores will be obliged to accept packaging, while smaller ones will be able to join the system voluntarily.

Which products are subject to a deposit?

The deposit generally applies to:

• plastic (PET) bottles up to 3 liters,

• aluminum cans up to 1 liter,

• reusable glass bottles up to 1.5 liters.

Usually, the system does not include cartons for juices or milk, or special containers such as those for oils or alcoholic beverages.

How much is the deposit and how can it be reclaimed?

The deposit amount varies depending on the country. In most European countries, it ranges from 15 to 25 euro cents. In Poland, the planned rate is 50 groszy per package covered by the system.

The deposit is refunded immediately – in cash, as a discount voucher, or through deposit machines. This makes the process simple and transparent, encouraging consumers to participate in a system that effectively helps reduce waste.

 

Advantages of the deposit system

Motivation to return used bottles

The greatest advantage of the deposit system is its financial motivation. Although the deposit is small, it works very effectively – for consumers it becomes a natural incentive to return packaging. In countries where the system has long been in place, return rates reach as high as 90–97%, proving that financial incentives are far more effective than simply appealing to environmental awareness.

As a result, even people who are not environmentally conscious willingly return bottles and cans to get their money back. This system therefore promotes not only ecology but also the development of pro-social habits that eventually become second nature.

Less litter in public spaces

One of the most visible effects of the deposit system is the significant reduction of litter in public spaces. In countries with a developed DRS system, the number of discarded bottles and cans has dropped by as much as 80–90%.

Beverage bottles make up a large part of the waste found in parks, forests, or along roads. Introducing a deposit turns them from waste into a valuable item that can be returned for money. The result is a cleaner environment and less burden on municipal services responsible for maintaining order.

Higher levels of recycling and reuse of raw materials

The deposit system contributes to a significant increase in recycling efficiency. Returned bottles are usually clean, sorted, and free of contaminants, which allows for high-quality raw materials. Such material can be easily used to produce new packaging, closing the material loop and reducing the need for new resources derived from crude oil or bauxite.

 

Disadvantages and Drawbacks of the Deposit System

An extra cost for consumers

Introducing a deposit means paying more at the checkout for every drink covered by the system. Although the money can be recovered when the packaging is returned, in practice it is an additional expense at the time of purchase.

For families doing large shops or people on lower incomes, this can be inconvenient—especially if the system is not yet widely available and return points are far away.

Storing empty containers at home

Before bottles are returned to the store, they need to be stored somewhere. In many households this means accumulating empty containers for several days or weeks, which can be inconvenient and take up space—especially in small apartments.

Bottles and cans must be reasonably clean, which requires extra effort—rinsing and sorting them. For people used to simply tossing waste into plastic or metal bins, this new obligation may be seen as burdensome and time-consuming.

Inconvenience for small shops and lack of space

Not every store can meet the logistical demands of a deposit system. Small retail outlets often lack sufficient space to store empties, and purchasing and maintaining a reverse-vending machine is a significant cost for them.

As a result, many small shops may opt out of the system, reducing the number of return points and lowering consumer convenience. In turn, this can reduce the overall effectiveness of the program—the harder it is to return bottles, the fewer people will do it regularly.

 

Does the deposit system really solve the plastic problem?

A deposit system is undoubtedly an effective tool in combating waste, but its potential is limited. It helps organize packaging flows and raise recycling rates; however, it does not eliminate the root cause—the mass production of plastic.

Plastic—still a difficult material

Plastic revolutionized industry but has also become one of today’s biggest environmental challenges. Despite technological advances, its recycling remains difficult, costly, and relatively inefficient. Each processing cycle lowers material quality, which means a drinks bottle will not always become a new bottle—more often a lower-value product, such as fibers for clothing or technical plastics.

Deposit as “eco-justification”

Introducing a deposit can give society a sense of environmental comfort—the impression that since bottles are returned and processed, the plastic problem is solved. In reality, a deposit system does not reduce the amount of plastic produced; it only improves how it circulates.

For producers, it may become an easy excuse to continue using single-use packaging. Marketing campaigns often highlight recycling while overlooking the fact that the most effective way to protect the environment is to reduce production and consumption.

Shouldn’t we focus on cutting production rather than streamlining it?

From an environmental perspective, recycling only treats the symptoms rather than the cause. As long as plastic production keeps growing, even the most efficient deposit system won’t stop the problem from escalating.

This raises a crucial question: wouldn’t it be better to limit plastic production itself instead of focusing on perfecting ways to process it?

 

Alternatives: environmentally friendly materials

Glass—an enduring classic making a comeback

Glass is one of the oldest and most eco-friendly packaging materials. It is 100% recyclable, and the recycling process does not degrade its quality—one bottle can always become another bottle. What’s more, glass does not react with stored food or beverages, making it safe and durable.

Metal and aluminum—recycling with almost no losses

Metal—especially aluminum—has exceptional properties for recycling. It can be processed an unlimited number of times without losing quality, which makes it one of the most desirable raw materials in a circular economy.

Natural cork—an extraordinary material with remarkable properties

Natural cork is a fully natural material obtained from the bark of the cork oak without cutting the tree down. It is renewable, biodegradable, and compostable, and its production has a minimal environmental footprint.

Traditionally used in the wine industry, it is now also found in design, construction, and fashion. Natural cork is lightweight, flexible, water-resistant, and has insulating properties. Importantly, it breaks down without leaving harmful residues.

 

Summary

A deposit system is one of the most effective tools supporting a circular economy. It works simply—by encouraging returns through a financial incentive—and delivers tangible benefits: less litter in public spaces, higher recycling rates, and better use of raw materials.

However, a deposit system should not be treated as a silver bullet for the waste problem. It requires well-planned logistics, investment in infrastructure, and consumer education. Moreover, it does not address the main issue—overproduction of plastic.

Therefore, a bottle deposit should be seen as one element of a broader shift, not an end in itself. In parallel, we should expand reuse systems, promote environmentally friendly materials—such as natural cork—and cut back on single-use products.

 

FAQ

1. What is a deposit system?
It’s a solution in which a small deposit is added when purchasing a drink in a bottle or can. The customer gets it back after returning the empty container to a store or machine. The aim is to increase the number of returned packages and reduce environmental littering.

2. Where can bottles and cans be returned?
Usually at large shops and supermarkets equipped with reverse-vending machines. In some cases, containers can also be returned at smaller retail outlets or special collection points.

3. What happens to returned containers?
After return, they are sent for recycling or—if they are reusable glass—washed and refilled. This reduces raw-material use and the volume of waste.

4. Does a deposit system really solve the plastic problem?
Not entirely. It helps organize packaging flows and increase recycling, but it does not limit plastic production. To genuinely reduce plastic, action is needed at the production level alongside the promotion of alternative materials.