The deposit system is changing the waste market. Sorting plants are losing materials, cities are counting losses

The introduction of a deposit system in Poland has led to a significant decrease in valuable recyclable materials collected by municipal sorting facilities. Cities are experiencing reduced revenues from waste management due to the outflow of PET bottles and aluminum cans to this new system. Some municipalities have already raised waste collection fees, citing the financial challenges posed by changes in the recycling market. The impact of the deposit system on waste management is still being assessed, with full evaluations expected after analyzing long-term data.