The Deposit-Return System in Poland as an Economic Instrument of Environmental Policy: Residents’ Perspective
Purpose: The aim of the article is to assess the deposit-return system (DRS) operating in Poland as an economic instrument of environmental policy supporting municipal waste management and the transition towards a zero-waste model. Particular attention is paid to the quality of the system from the residents’ perspective and to the barriers limiting participation, including the availability of return points, the convenience of using the system, the reliability of the infrastructure, the transparency of the rules, and the method of recovering the deposit. Design/Methodology/Approach: The article uses the desk research method, including an analysis of the literature on economic instruments of environmental policy, municipal waste management, and deposit-return systems. The analysis is supplemented by legal regulations, data from the Ministry of Climate and Environment, and the results of Polish consumer opinion surveys. The results are compared with studies of deposit-return systems operating in other European countries. Findings: The deposit-return system is characterized by a strong and clear incentive mechanism, as returning packaging is directly linked to the recovery of the deposit. However, its effectiveness also depends on the quality of the system’s organization. These conclusions are consistent with the findings of international studies. Practical Implications: System development should focus not only on increasing the number of returned containers but also on improving the user experience. The density and optimal location of the return point network, equipment reliability, simplified deposit refund, and effective communication with residents are of particular importance. Originality/Value: The value of the article lies in combining an economic analysis of the deposit-return system with an assessment of its operating conditions from the residents' perspective. The adopted approach indicates that the economic effectiveness of the instrument depends not only on the nominal deposit value but also on the ease of participation and the quality of the return infrastructure.