EDRSA Once Again Brings European Experts Together to Discuss the Future of Deposit Return Systems and Circularity

Bratislava once again welcomed experts from the member countries of the European Deposit Return Systems Association (EDRSA) this year. The Working Group Meeting, held on 7–8 October 2026, brought together approximately 80 representatives from 16 countries to discuss common challenges, share experiences and explore solutions for the further development of deposit return systems across Europe. Key topics included European legislation, improving the efficiency of deposit return systems and their contribution to advancing circularity.

EDRSA has seven expert Working Groups focusing on Legal Affairs, Finance, Operations and Logistics, IT and Change Management, Retail Technology, Fraud Prevention and Communication. These groups bring together experts from member deposit return systems who meet regularly online to exchange experiences and address common challenges. Their cooperation helps improve the operation of national systems and provides a strong foundation of practical expertise for discussions on deposit return systems at the European level.

The aim of the meeting was to build on the ongoing cooperation between EDRSA’s Working Groups, which regularly share knowledge and address common challenges throughout the year. The in-person meeting in Bratislava provided an opportunity for broader expert discussions, bringing together insights from different Working Groups and identifying priorities for future cooperation.

Participants discussed European legislative requirements, including the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) and the upcoming Circular Economy Act. They also addressed ways to improve the efficiency of DRS logistics and financing, digitalisation, the use of new technologies and fraud prevention. In the area of communication, discussions focused on engaging younger generations, making return opportunities more accessible at public events and in public spaces, and the labelling of deposit-bearing beverage containers.

The main outcome of the meeting was the identification of priority topics for the Working Groups to address in the coming period. Their future cooperation will focus on comparing approaches across countries, sharing best practices and developing practical recommendations. These insights can also contribute to expert discussions on European legislation, the future of deposit return systems and the circular economy in Europe.

“European deposit return systems have gained years of practical experience that can make a valuable contribution to the development of European regulations. Our goal is to bring this expertise together, identify common solutions and contribute an expert perspective to discussions on the future of deposit return systems and circularity in Europe,” said Marián Áč, President of EDRSA.

The two-day programme also included a visit to the Slovak Deposit Return System’s Sorting Centre in Kočovce. Participants had the opportunity to learn about its operations and exchange practical experiences in logistics, sorting and processing of collected beverage containers.

“The greatest challenge is bringing all stakeholders on the same page.” – Miks Stūrītis

Miks Stūrītis, EDRSA Board Member and CEO of Depozīta Iepakojuma Operators (DIO), has been with DIO since day one of the implementation of the Deposit Return System in Latvia. He sees DRS as one of the most effective tools for reducing litter, increasing packaging recycling rates and encouraging greater public attention to waste sorting and packaging circularity.

For Miks, Deposit Return Systems are among the most effective tools for significantly reducing litter and increasing packaging recycling rates. At the same time, they encourage society to pay greater attention to waste sorting and to the importance of packaging circularity.

Membership in EDRSA provides opportunities to establish contacts and build networks with peers from other DRS operators, learn from best practices and benchmark different Deposit Return Systems. Another important benefit is the opportunity to join forces and speak with one voice on important regulatory decisions affecting the DRS landscape.

From Miks’ perspective, one of the greatest challenges is bringing all stakeholders on the same page. This means reaching agreement on and implementing a DRS regulatory framework that enables an efficient system with minimal trade-offs, while avoiding ungrounded requirements that could undermine the overall DRS concept.

EDRSA welcomes KAUCJA.PL – Krajowy System Kaucyjny S.A. as its 21st member

The European Deposit Return Systems Association (EDRSA) is pleased to welcome KAUCJA.PL – Krajowy System Kaucyjny S.A., one of Poland’s authorised Deposit Return System (DRS) operators, as its newest member.

With the addition of KAUCJA.PL, EDRSA now brings together 21 members, including 18 ordinary members and 3 associated members, further strengthening the association’s mission to promote collaboration, knowledge sharing and the continuous improvement of deposit return systems across Europe.

Supporting Poland’s deposit return system

KAUCJA.PL is one of the operators authorised to run Poland’s Deposit Return System. The company was registered in the National Court Register on 13 November 2024 during the preparation phase for the country’s DRS implementation. Poland’s nationwide Deposit Return System officially came into operation on 1 October 2025.

Poland has adopted a multi-operator model, making it one of the few European countries where several operators work alongside each other. As of July 2026, eight operators have received authorisation to run a deposit return system, while six are currently operational.

As a representative entity within the Polish DRS, KAUCJA.PL plays a central role in ensuring the smooth functioning of the system. Its responsibilities include organising the collection of returned beverage packaging from collection points, managing the flow of deposits between beverage producers and retailers, including reimbursing retailers for deposits refunded to consumers, and supporting producers in meeting the European Union’s separate collection targets of 77% by 2028 and 90% from 2029.

In addition to operational activities, KAUCJA.PL is responsible for developing and expanding the national network of collection points and carrying out educational initiatives that encourage consumers to return deposit packaging correctly.

Joining EDRSA to exchange experience and shape the future

For KAUCJA.PL, becoming part of EDRSA represents an opportunity to learn from countries with well-established deposit return systems while contributing to the further development of DRS across Europe.

As Poland continues to develop its system, exchanging practical experience on logistics optimisation, technological standards and regulatory harmonisation is considered essential to building a cost-efficient, effective and consumer-friendly deposit return system.

Through its membership, KAUCJA.PL aims to gain access to proven operational models used across Europe, actively contribute to discussions on the future development of European deposit return systems and strengthen cooperation with producers, retailers and fellow system operators.

The organisation also sees EDRSA as an important platform for building trust among stakeholders by promoting high operational standards and sharing best practices across the industry.

Working together for a circular economy

KAUCJA.PL believes that achieving a circular economy requires close cooperation beyond national borders. Open exchange of knowledge, operational experience and technological solutions enables operators to improve system performance while making deposit return systems increasingly convenient for millions of consumers across Europe.

By sharing its own experience from the implementation of Poland’s new DRS, KAUCJA.PL looks forward to contributing to the European deposit return community while learning from other operators that have successfully established high-performing systems.

EDRSA’s growing network

With KAUCJA.PL joining the association, EDRSA now represents 21 members.

The association’s 18 ordinary members are deposit return system operators from Austria, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia and Sweden.

In addition, EDRSA’s three associated members are operators from the Faroe Islands, Singapore and the United Kingdom.

Together, EDRSA members continue to work towards more efficient, harmonised and high-performing deposit return systems, supporting Europe’s transition to a circular economy through collaboration, innovation and the exchange of operational expertise.

European Experts Discussed the Future of Deposit Return Systems and the Circular Economy at the EDRSA Conference 2026 in Bratislava

Representatives of European institutions, Deposit Return System (DRS) operators, producers, recyclers and circular economy experts from across Europe gathered on 28 May in Bratislava for the international conference: “Deposit Return Systems and a Competitive European Union: From Collection to Circular Economy” organised by the European Deposit Return Systems Association (EDRSA).

For the first time, the conference created a unique European platform for dialogue on the future of circular economy policy, the growing role of Deposit Return Systems in achieving the European Union’s environmental objectives, and the contribution of circular economy solutions to a more competitive and sustainable Europe.

Particular attention was dedicated to the upcoming Circular Economy Act, which the European Union is expected to adopt in the second half of 2026. The conference aimed to contribute to the ongoing expert and public discussion ahead of the adoption of the legislation and to address questions and challenges related to the broader European regulatory framework concerning the reuse and recycling of beverage packaging materials.

Throughout four expert sessions, participants discussed:

• the future Circular Economy Act and EU competitiveness,
• the contribution of Deposit Return Systems to high-quality recycling and closed-loop systems,
• challenges and opportunities for producers and recyclers under the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR),
• recycled content targets and material quality,
• innovation, digitalisation and eco-design,
• and the future growth and development of Deposit Return Systems across Europe.

The conference welcomed approximately 120 participants from 26 countries, including representatives of beverage producers, recycling companies, industry associations, European institutions, Deposit Return Systems from Europe and other regions, as well as technology and service providers active in the field of circular economy and DRS solutions.

The programme featured 29 speakers from leading European organisations and institutions, including representatives of the European Commission, EDRSA, UNESDA Soft Drinks Europe, Zero Waste Europe, Reloop Platform, TOMRA, Metal Packaging Europe, European Aluminium, national DRS operators and major producers and recyclers.

A dedicated press briefing held during the conference highlighted the importance of European cooperation in the development of efficient Deposit Return Systems and addressed the role of circular economy policies in strengthening both sustainability and competitiveness objectives.

Speakers at the press briefing included:

• Marián Áč, President of EDRSA and CEO of Správca zálohového systému, Slovakia
• Ciaran Foley, CEO of Re-turn, Ireland and Member of the Board of EDRSA
• Susanne Kürschner, CEO of DPG Deutsche Pfandsystem GmbH, Germany and Member of the Board of EDRSA

Commenting on the conference, Marián Áč, President of EDRSA, said: “European deposit return policy is successful. It delivers the expected results, protects the environment and supports circularity. We are pleased by the strong interest from producers, recycling companies, Deposit Return Systems and partners in our conference. I believe we will be able to identify areas, measures and specific steps that could contribute to strengthening Europe’s competitiveness within the ongoing European legislative process.”

The conference also highlighted the importance of technological innovation, digital traceability, high-quality material collection and cooperation across the value chain in ensuring that Europe’s transition towards a circular economy remains both environmentally effective and economically competitive.

More information about the conference programme and speakers is available at:
www.edrsaconference.eu