Will Deposit-Return System will be effective in achieving the objectives of Single Use Plastic Directive for plastic bottles in Poland?

The aim of this paper is to analyse the effectiveness of implementing the deposit-return scheme (DRS) as a tool for achieving goals in recycling and the separate collection of plastic packaging waste, as well as in promoting the circular economy in European Union (EU) countries. In this context, the prospects for the effectiveness of a future DRS in Poland were assessed. A correlation analysis between the level of plastic bottle collection and nine explanatory variables was conducted, supplemented by hierarchical cluster analysis. Our findings support the hypothesis that the deposit system is a key factor in increasing the rate of separate collection of plastic bottles. Accordingly, the introduction of a DRS in Poland is expected to effectively meet the target for plastic bottle collection set by the Single-Use Plastic Directive.