Społem Kielce prepares for Poland’s upcoming deposit return system with TOMRA Reverse Vending Solutions

Kielce, Poland: As Poland gears up for the nationwide launch of its Deposit Return System (DRS) on 1 October 2025, Społem Kielce is taking early action to prepare. The well-established retail cooperative, with stores across the Świętokrzyskie region, has rolled out TOMRA reverse vending machines (RVMs) across its entire store network. The initiative supports the retailer's commitment to innovation, operational readiness, and customer experience.

Społem Kielce prepares for Poland’s upcoming deposit return system with TOMRA Reverse Vending Solutions

Early action, modern technology

In close cooperation with TOMRA Collection Poland, Społem Kielce selected a set of vending machines tailored to the size of the store and the expected number of returned packages. The devices have been installed in easily accessible places at the entrances to the stores to make it as easy as possible for customers to return bottles and cans

TOMRA was a trusted partner at every stage of cooperation – it inspired our trust from the first meeting. We received expert advice, high-quality equipment and professional service every step of the way.

Commercial Director at Społem Kielce Paweł Domińczak

Paweł continues, “Our priority was to act early, to have the infrastructure in place, and to help educate our customers about the new deposit return system. TOMRA’s machines accept all three container types—plastic bottles, cans, and glass bottles—and fit perfectly into our strategy of investing in reliable, future-ready technology. I would recommend TOMRA to anyone looking for high-quality machines and a dependable partnership.”

Supporting customers and store teams

The cooperation between Społem Kielce and TOMRA was based on a shared commitment to high quality and a customer-oriented approach. TOMRA Collection Polska was responsible for the efficient installation of the devices in all stores and provided classroom training for staff, such as cleaning and basic maintenance, so that the teams could operate the new technologies independently and confidently.

The cooperative invests in TOMRA technology across all 23 stores to support customer education and operational readiness.

From the very beginning, it was a real cooperation, based on listening to our client's needs on the one hand, and on the openness of our partner to TOMRA's experience and knowledge on the other.

Jarosław Świerczyna Key Account Manager at TOMRA Collection Poland
“Społem Kielce shares TOMRA's values: innovation, quality and customer care. Good communication and mutual understanding allowed us to coordinate and complete the installations efficiently. Equally It was important that our service technicians provided practical training to help store employees gain confidence in operating the equipment and supporting customers," adds Jarosław. 

From modern supermarkets to historic city shops

Implementation of TOMRA machines by Społem Kielce covers a wide range of store formats – from large, modern supermarkets to smaller, historic establishments – showing flexibility and scalability of this technology.

At the “Mieszko” supermarket, Społem Kielce’s largest and most modern store, the TOMRA T70 TriSort has proven ideal for handling the store’s high foot traffic and return volumes. Covering 920 m² of retail space, the supermarket is a busy hub for the local community and a showcase for the cooperative’s forward-thinking retail approach.

The TOMRA T70 TriSort handles returns without any problems, even during peak hours. Customers appreciate its speed and intuitive operation.

Bartłomiej Gryźlak, Store Manager at Społem Mieszko
Bartłomiej Gryźlak Store Manager at Społem Mieszko

Highlighting its effectiveness, Bartłomiej continues, “The built-in crushing function saves space in the back room, and the SoftDrop system ensures safe glass collection – which also saves our employees time. Thanks to the machines, our daily work runs more smoothly, and we can focus on serving customers. The training provided by TOMRA allowed us to understand the operation of the machines well and prepare for the upcoming changes.”

At the other end of the scale, the historic “Delikatesy Rynek” supermarket in Kielce’s Old Town, with a retail area of 363 m², shows how TOMRA’s compact solutions can be tailored to space-conscious locations. As one of the city’s most iconic and longstanding grocery stores, proudly regarded as a flagship for Społem Kielce, the choice of the TOMRA B7 highlights how even smaller-format stores can offer customers a great recycling experience without compromising store layout or operations.

From modern supermarkets to historic city shops
The historic “Delikatesy Rynek” supermarket in Kielce’s Old Town.

The TOMRA B7 is a compact yet powerful device – it fits perfectly into the layout of our store and handles returns efficiently. Customers and employees alike find them easy to use.

Bożena Dorosińska Store Manager at Społem Delikatesy Rynek

“Customers and employees alike find them easy to use. The simple design makes daily maintenance easy, and the built-in crushing function reduces bag changes and back-of-room space – which is of great importance in smaller stores. The early installation of the machines gave everyone time to familiarize themselves with their operation before the start of the deposit system. Customers are satisfied and our team feels prepared,” adds Bożena. 

Setting the standard for a smooth transition

Społem Kielce's modern approach focuses not only on technology, but above all on people. With clear in-store messaging, employee engagement, and early customer education, the cooperative ensures that both shoppers and staff are ready for the start of the deposit system. Early education and preparation efforts are key to ensuring a smooth recycling process and provide a solid foundation for successful operation across all of the chain's stores.

T70 TriSort Reverse Vending Machine

TOMRA T70 TriSort

The TOMRA T70 TriSort offers maximum flexibility and high-volume capacity in the smallest footprint.
TOMRA T70 TriSort