Poland's deposit refund scheme turns 1, with 5 billion packages returned

A year after Poland launched its deposit return system for drinks packaging, the government says around 5 billion bottles and cans have been returned.

Climate Minister Paulina Hennig-Kloska speaks at a news conference marking one year of Poland's deposit return scheme, in Warsaw on September 30.

Photo: PAP/Radek Pietruszka

Officials point to cleaner parks and rivers, while critics question how the scheme works in practice.

Now the climate ministry wants to add small spirit bottles, and one village fire brigade has found its own use for the returns.

Agnieszka Łaszczuk reports.

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