Mondi has partnered with Polish retailer Biedronka to introduce a corrugated-based collection solution designed to support the rollout of Poland’s deposit return system, with a focus on scalable and material-efficient infrastructure for packaging recovery.
The system, branded Recyklobox, is a fibre-based container developed to collect returnable beverage packaging across retail locations. Constructed from five-layer corrugated board, the unit integrates a lower collection compartment and a top section with an insertion opening and provision for barcode scanning, enabling compatibility with deposit system requirements.
From a materials perspective, the structure uses approximately 80% recycled paper and 20% virgin fibre, and is designed for reprocessing at end-of-life, aligning with circularity objectives in fibre-based packaging systems.
The deployment addresses a key operational gap in deposit scheme implementation—namely the need for interim and flexible collection infrastructure prior to full installation of reverse vending machines. According to project data, the system enabled the collection of over 29 million returnable bottles before automated systems were widely installed, indicating its role in early-stage system readiness and continuity.
The corrugated format also offers logistical advantages, including ease of transport, assembly, and rapid rollout across store networks, supporting cost-efficient scaling compared with capital-intensive machine-based systems.
The initiative reflects broader regulatory and market shifts in Europe, where deposit return schemes are driving demand for collection, sorting, and material recovery solutions that integrate with existing retail operations. It also highlights the expanding role of fibre-based packaging formats beyond primary and secondary packaging, extending into reverse logistics and circular systems infrastructure.
The development builds on previous collaboration between the two companies, including closed-loop initiatives, and signals continued investment in packaging-linked recovery systems aligned with evolving regulatory frameworks in Poland.