Notes from Poland is run by a small editorial team and is published by an independent, non-profit foundation that is funded through donations from our readers. Poland has today launched a nationwide deposit-refund system for plastic bottles and metal cans, with the aim of ensuring more such packaging is recycled. For reusable glass bottles up to a capacity of 1.5 litres, the deposit will be 1 zloty from January 2026. In stores, deposit returns can be handled either by employees or by automated machines. Delays in a new deposit system to encourage recycling will cost Poland billions in EU charges, industry figures and campaign groups have warned.