Polish lawmakers and industry representatives are debating whether beverage producers are avoiding deposit requirements by increasingly using multi-material carton packaging.
MP Raises Alarm Over Packaging Shift
PiS MP Grzegorz Matusiak has questioned whether beverage producers are switching to multi-material carton packaging to avoid the upcoming deposit system, scheduled to launch on October 1, 2025, and the associated price increases for consumers. He points to delays in implementing extended producer responsibility (EPR) and exemptions for products like milk and returnable glass bottles as contributing factors.
Matusiak also highlighted potential competitive disadvantages for producers remaining in the deposit system, selling beverages in PET bottles or cans, compared to those using deposit-free carton packaging. He requested data from the Ministry of Climate and Environment on carton recycling rates and potential inclusion in the deposit system.
Ministry and Industry Downplay Concerns
The Ministry of Climate and Environment maintains that the deposit system is not intended to favor certain packaging types and aims to meet EU selective collection targets of 77% by 2025 and 90% by 2030 for single-use plastic bottles. As of mid-March 2026, 1.2 billion deposit-covered packages were in circulation.
The Ministry characterizes any shift to carton packaging as marginal. Data on 2025 recycling rates will be available in 2027, but historical data shows a positive trend for multi-material packaging, increasing from 43% in 2020 to 59% in 2024. Discussions with the industry regarding potential inclusion of cartons in the deposit system are ongoing, with a decision expected in 2026.
Industry Group Calls Concerns Overblown
Krzysztof Baczyński, president of the Polish Packaging and Packaging Products Employers’ Union EKO-PAK, acknowledged that some producers have switched to cartons but cautioned against overstating the trend. He noted that other companies continue to use cans for similar products.
Baczyński emphasized that carton recycling rates for liquid food products are already around 70%, contributing to the overall improvement in multi-material packaging recycling. He attributes the effective management of carton recycling to voluntary agreements like Rekarton, established in 2014.
Systemic Issues and Future Regulations
Matusiak’s inquiry also addressed systemic issues, including the lack of legislation implementing extended producer responsibility (EPR) for non-deposit packaging and previous exemptions for milk products and returnable brewery glass bottles. The Ministry indicated that work on EPR is ongoing, and decisions regarding the expansion of the deposit system will be made in 2026.
