Evaluation of the Deposit System as a Mechanism to Promote Recycling and Reuse of Packaging in Poland

Abstract

According to a European Commission regulation, at least 65% of all packaging waste should be recycled by the end of 2025 and 70% by the end of 2030. Poland is highly likely to fall short of meeting the targets. This is an alarming forecast, as recycling rates play a key role in assessing the efficiency of waste management systems, as well as in monitoring progress towards a circular economy. One of the solutions currently being implemented by the Polish government is the packaging deposit system, which is to become operational in October 2025. The aim of this article is to evaluate the deposit system as a mechanism to promote recycling and reuse of packaging in Poland. The literature review, the analysis of statistical data and conduction of a survey made it possible to formulate conclusions for the science and practice of waste management in the context of the transformation towards a circular economy. The results of the survey indicate that the Polish public positively evaluated the assumptions of the deposit system and its positive impact on reducing environmental pollution. On the other hand, a significant barrier of the deposit system is an insufficient information campaign and a deficient educational activity about its implementation.

Keywords: deposit system, recycling rates, waste management, European Union, circular economy