Is there a deposit system in Cyprus? What to do with bottles and cans?

In Cyprus there is currently no nationwide deposit system for single-use plastic bottles and metal cans. It's not common to charge an additional deposit when purchasing a beverage, which the customer could then get back upon returning the empty container to the store or vending machine.

This doesn't mean, however, that bottles and cans should be thrown away with regular waste. Plastic bottles and metal cans can be recycled through the Green Dot Cyprus system. They fall into the PMD category. Glass bottles and jars are collected separately in special green bins.

The deposit system in Cyprus is not yet operational

The deposit system involves adding a specific amount to the price of the beverage. Customers receive their money back after returning the empty container to a designated collection point or vending machine.

In Cyprus, such a mechanism doesn't yet operate nationwide. After purchasing a standard bottle of water, a can of soda, or a can of beer, consumers aren't automatically entitled to a refund.

Cyprus has been working on regulations for a deposit-refund system for several years. Consultations on the draft regulations were held in 2023. However, the legal framework has not been finally approved as of September 2026, and the system's launch is still in the preparation phase.

Therefore, there is no basis for providing a specific launch date for the system or the future deposit amount at this time. Such information will only be considered binding once the approved regulations and official schedule are published.

Green Dot is about recycling, not depositing

The Green Dot system in Cyprus should not be confused with a deposit-refund system. Green Dot organizes the collection, sorting, and recycling of packaging. However, it does not pay residents for every bottle or can returned.

Likewise, the Green Dot symbol on packaging does not indicate that the product is subject to a deposit. It indicates that the company marketing the product participates in a collective packaging waste management system and finances its operation.

Not all packaging marked with this symbol can be automatically thrown into the same bag. The material and type of packaging determine the sorting method, not the logo itself.

What to do with a plastic bottle or can?

Plastic water and drink bottles and metal cans fall into the category PMDThe abbreviation covers plastic, metal, and cardboard beverage packaging.

The following can be transferred to PMD:

• plastic water and drink bottles;
• plastic containers for selected products;
• detergent, shampoo and cosmetics packaging;
• aluminum soft drink and beer cans;
• metal food cans;
• cartons of milk, juices and other drinks.

PMD packaging is placed in clear recycling bags. In some locations, special blue bins are also available.

In areas where collection takes place outside the home, bags are placed on the street on a specific day of the week. Residential buildings, schools, offices, and other larger facilities may have blue bins marked with the Green Dot Cyprus logo.

Before throwing away a bottle or can, empty it. Green Dot also recommends removing any leftover beverages or food, as dirty packaging can contaminate other materials intended for recycling.

What not to put in PMD?

The PMD bag isn't a one-size-fits-all bag for plastic or metal items. The system is primarily designed to collect specific types of packaging.

The following items should not be included in PMD:

• plastic toys;
• plastic cups and plates;
• chairs and larger plastic items;
• styrofoam;
• protective masks;
• aluminum foils;
• crisps and sweets packaging;
• packaging heavily soiled with food;
• regular municipal waste.

Green Dot also emphasizes that not all types of plastic are suitable for collection under this system. Therefore, if in doubt, it's worth checking the official list of accepted packaging.

Glass bottles are collected separately

Glass bottles and jars should not be placed in the clear PMD bag. Glass is collected separately in special green containers, which are often bell-shaped.

The containers are placed in central locations around towns, near supermarkets, parking lots, and other easily accessible locations. Green Dot also operates dedicated glass recycling points called "Bottle Areas."

Green bins are primarily for glass bottles and jars. The following should not be placed there:

• glasses and stemware;
• ceramics and porcelain;
• mirrors;
• window panes;
• light bulbs;
• ovenproof dishes.

Such items have a different composition than packaging glass and should not be mixed with bottles and jars.

How to check the pickup date?

The collection method varies by location. In many areas, PMD bags and paper are collected once a week directly from homes. In tourist areas and some smaller communities, you'll need to take the packaging to the nearest container yourself.

The collection schedule and location of points can be checked via the application ReCYcling CYInformation is also available from Green Dot Cyprus at 7000 0090.

It's worth checking the rules for your specific address. The system may differ between a city center, a residential neighborhood, and a tourist town.

Do vending machines mean a deposit system?

Vending machines accepting plastic bottles and cans may be appearing in some Cypriot towns. However, this doesn't mean that the deposit-refund system has been implemented across the island.

The device may be part of a local program run by a municipality, supermarket, social organization, or private company. In exchange for returned packaging, the machine may issue points, coupons, prizes, or simply confirmation that the material has been accepted for recycling.

Before dropping in a bottle, read the instructions on the device. They should indicate what types of packaging are accepted and whether the user will receive money, a voucher, or other benefits.

A single machine is not proof of the launch of a uniform deposit system in Cyprus.

Cyprus and Poland – the most important differences

The deposit system has started operating in Poland October 1, 2025Includes packaging with appropriate markings:

• plastic drink bottles up to 3 liters – 50 groszy deposit;
• metal cans with a capacity of up to 1 liter – deposit of 50 groszy;
• reusable glass bottles up to 1.5 liters – deposit 1 PLN.

A receipt is not required for a refund. The packaging must bear the deposit system's identification, the label, and the barcode. It should not be crushed before returning.

Large stores with an area of more than 200 square meters are required to accept packaging covered by the system. Smaller stores may voluntarily collect it, although additional rules apply when selling beverages in reusable glass bottles.

In Cyprus, the situation is different. There is no universal labeling of deposit-refundable packaging, no applicable rate, and no nationwide network of return points. Plastic bottles and cans are therefore recycled as PMD, but consumers do not receive any money for them.

Deposit system in Poland and Cyprus

The Polish model also highlights an important difference between deposit-refund packaging and regular recyclable packaging. In Poland, only bottles and cans marked with the system's symbol are eligible for refunds. Other packaging continues to be sent to regular selective collection.

What will European Union regulations change?

EU regulations require countries to achieve a 90% separate collection rate for single-use plastic beverage bottles by 2029. The new packaging regulation also covers single-use metal beverage containers up to three liters.

The deposit-refund system is intended to be the primary means of achieving this goal. The state can avoid its implementation only if certain conditions are met, including achieving a sufficiently high collection rate through other methods.

According to data cited by Politis, Cyprus separately collected approximately 45.62 percent of its single-use plastic beverage bottles in 2022. This figure was significantly below the EU target.

However, 2029 is not the officially announced launch date for the deposit-refund system in Cyprus. It is a deadline for achieving a specific collection level. Details of the Cypriot system must be approved and published in advance.

What to do with the empty bottle now?

Until the deposit system is launched in Cyprus, the current rules should apply:

• plastic drink bottles are thrown into the PMD;
• we deliver metal cans to PMD;
• milk and juice cartons also go to PMD;
• glass bottles and jars go to green containers;
• we collect paper and cardboard separately;
• We do not mix packaging with regular waste.

The shortest answer is therefore simple: the deposit system in Cyprus is not yet operational, and we will not receive a refund for a standard single-use bottle or canHowever, packaging must be properly sorted and recycled.

Sources: Green Dot Cyprus, EUR-Lex, European Commission, Ministry of Climate and Environment of the Republic of Poland, Politis