Biznes Fakty
Deposit system. Rossmann is eliminating most beverages.
„We're reverting to plastic. Paper alternatives are ineffective.” Donald Trump enacted the regulation. Maciej Mazur/Fakty TVN
Beginning October 1st, Rossmann will cease to provide beverages in packaging eligible for deposit refunds, Agata Nowakowska, spokesperson for the drugstore chain, shared with tvn24.pl. This policy affects drinks in plastic bottles up to three liters, metal cans up to one liter, and reusable glass bottles up to one and a half liters.
Starting October 2025, beverages packaged with a deposit symbol will start to appear in Poland. This signifies that a deposit-refund system will be initiated, encompassing all retail locations that sell items in packages displaying a deposit symbol – including drugstores, pharmacies, sports shops, and gas stations that carry them.
The presence of a deposit-refund system for a product will be marked by a logo on the label. It will also specify the deposit amount:
– plastic bottles with a maximum capacity of 3 liters – deposit: PLN 0.50, – metal cans with a maximum capacity of 1 liter – deposit: PLN 0.50, – reusable glass bottles with a capacity of up to 1.5 liters – deposit: PLN 1.00.
What items are included in the deposit system?Rossmann withdraws
„Any business that sells products in beverage packaging encompassed by the deposit system is required to engage in the deposit system. Since Rossmann is a drugstore, items included in the deposit system represent a minor portion of our inventory. We do not intend to offer them once the new regulations take effect as we are unable to accommodate the deposit system,” Agata Nowakowska, spokesperson for the chain, informed tvn24.pl.
„Beverages included in the deposit-refund system must be distinctly labeled. We simply won't be ordering them,” she added.
She stressed that the chain’s stores will continue to provide items such as milk in cartons and juice in cartons, alongside beverages in non-returnable bottles that do not fall under the deposit system.
In Nowakowska’s view, the new regulations are unsuitable for the drugstore format. „We utilize every available space in the drugstore primarily to showcase and store cosmetics and chemical products. However, the system is universal; a receipt is not necessary, meaning we would be required to accept any quantity of packages included in the system. We can’t even anticipate the volume we’re discussing. Pharmacies, for instance, are in a similar predicament,” she elaborated.
The retail sector raises concerns
The Polish Organization of Trade and Distribution (POHiD) highlighted in a statement released on August 5th that the deposit-refund system is not ready for execution in its present form. The organization has made a request to Prime Minister Donald Tusk regarding this issue, posing specific inquiries about the correct interpretation and implementation of the law. POHiD is hopeful for a detailed response from legislators that will „facilitate the system’s operation in a manner that best serves customers, the environment, and businesses.”
The request pointed out, among other things, the compulsory participation of non-food retailers. „Subjecting outlets such as pharmacies, drugstores, and electronics/household appliance stores to the system may result in the removal of beverages from their inventory,” it noted.
Return of packaging
Deposit-refund packaging can be returned without a receipt. Locations where you can return such packaging and receive your deposit back include all stores larger than 200 square meters that sell beverages in deposit-refund packaging.
Smaller establishments will have the option to accept packaging but will not be obligated to do so. The exception applies to stores under 200 square meters that sell beverages in reusable glass bottles. Currently, this primarily pertains to beer. Such establishments will generally also accept packaging.
It’s important to note that deposit vending machines, which do not have to be situated inside stores, will also serve as drop-off points for packaging marked with the deposit symbol. Additionally, in collaboration with system operators, it will be possible to establish temporary collection points, for example, during significant cultural or sporting events.
The Food Portal, which was the first to share this information, indicates that Rossmann currently operates nearly two thousand outlets with an average size of 400 square meters.
