Bottle and Can Recycling Machines: Deposit System in Large Retail Chains

The large retail chains in the country are increasingly seeing activity around automated reverse vending machines for plastic bottles and cans. This type of device, which returns a certain amount to the consumer for each returned package, represents the only functioning deposit system in Bulgaria at the moment.

The pilot initiative that made this possible was realized thanks to the efforts and investments of two major retail chains. These companies were the first to introduce the machines as a step towards establishing a deposit system in our country.

In response to a request from BTA, the press centers of the two chains shared information about the development of their projects and the reported interest.

One of the chains has machines in 26 of its stores, located in 17 cities in the country. The devices are located in Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna, Burgas, Stara Zagora, Blagoevgrad, Botevgrad, Balchik, Gabrovo, Dobrich, Karlovo, Montana, Pernik, Pleven, Provadia, Troyan and Shumen.

To cope with the growing demand, all machines are now dual, which allows serving two customers simultaneously. Customers can choose between two options: to use the amount received as an eco-voucher for purchases in the respective store or to donate it to a charitable cause.

From May 2025, consumers have the opportunity to choose between four charitable causes: "Lazar Radkov" Foundation - in support of children's health; WWF Bulgaria - for the protection of nature; Animal Rescue Sofia - help for homeless animals; The Association of Olympic Teams in Natural Sciences - support for student Olympians.

"Interest in the initiative is growing categorically, especially during the summer months, when consumers consume more water, soft drinks and beer. Then we record volumes of over 1.6 million returned packages per week. Since the beginning of the pilot project, the total number of returned packages is approaching 100 million", the chain shared.

According to the company's data, the cities in which consumers donate the most are Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna, Burgas and Stara Zagora. Leading cities by number of returned packages are Varna, Stara Zagora, Plovdiv, Dobrich and Shumen.

The placement of more new machines is planned in several cities where the service is not yet available. The company emphasizes that consumers are already used to the process and the problems have decreased. At the same time, they appeal to comply with the requirements - for example, packages of milk, vinegar and other unsuitable products should not be returned in the machines.

The company emphasizes that the pilot project cannot solve the national issue of packaging management. "In order to have a sustainable and long-term solution, it is necessary to introduce an effective deposit system according to the successful models established in a number of European countries with the active involvement of all interested parties - institutions, businesses, consumers".

The other chain also shared information about its pilot project. In its hypermarkets in Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna, Burgas, Pleven and Veliko Tarnovo, 11 machines for returning plastic and aluminum packaging have been installed.

"Interest in them continues to grow and every week the company receives inquiries from citizens whether Recycling Stations will be opened in other settlements. From 2023 to the present, over 20 million packages have been sent for recycling, which is equivalent to nearly 50 tons of processed raw material. This shows that Bulgarian society recognizes the need to introduce a deposit system", the chain announced.

For each returned PET bottle of drinks or aluminum can, the chain pays 5 cents to its customers. Customers have the opportunity to choose whether the donation should be made for humanitarian causes of the Bulgarian Red Cross (BRC) or to be deducted from the shopping bill in the form of an eco-voucher.

Nearly 1 million packages have been donated. Thanks to this, in the summer of 2025, the chain donated 20,000 leva to the BRC to support the victims of the fires in the country. The amount was used to provide initial aid.

The company expects "the adoption of legislation that regulates the operation and scope of a deposit system, which already exists in 17 European countries" in order to continue the project.

We remind that the two chains introduced the pilot projects in their stores in the spring of 2023. A month later, a great interest was recorded. Since then, the companies have shared that the collected data will help prepare for a future deposit system and for the entire trade sector, which has a key role in all such systems.

In the beginning, the use of such machines was a novelty for many people, and the pilot project aimed to show consumers their role in a future deposit system. And also - how easy it is to be responsible by collecting your packages and returning them conveniently, quickly and easily where you shop.

BTA also participates in the initiative, organizing the delivery of the collected amount of bottles every week, and the amount received is donated by the Agency's employees for a good cause.