The Spanish Government has confirmed the introduction of a new bottle deposit system affecting bars, restaurants, supermarkets and other retailers starting from November 2026. This move aligns Spain with European Union recycling targets and follows Portugal’s recent rollout of a similar scheme known as SDDR (Deposit Return System), which has been operational for several weeks. The change aims to improve recycling rates and reduce environmental impact as Spain currently falls short of EU-established goals.
Under the new system, consumers will pay an additional fee—approximately ten cents—on bottled and canned beverages at the point of purchase. This charge is not a tax but a refundable deposit that customers can reclaim by returning empty bottles and cans to the original point of sale or authorised collection machines. This practice, already successful in countries such as Germany, Norway and Denmark, is intended to encourage a shift in consumer behaviour and waste management.
Portuguese authorities have pioneered this approach in the Iberian Peninsula, offering valuable insights for Spain. The deposit-return model was chosen because traditional recycling methods, including the use of yellow recycling bins, have proven inadequate. According to recent government figures, only 41.3% of plastic bottles placed on the Spanish market were collected for recycling in 2023, well below the 70% target mandated by Brussels.
Reasons behind the urgent reform
The Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge highlighted that Spain’s persistent recycling shortfall risks fines and damages the country’s environmental reputation. Limitations of the current system include contamination of recyclables, low public awareness, and logistical challenges. The government’s plan seeks to counter these factors by making return and recycling economically incentivised.
How the deposit will work
Every time a consumer buys a bottled drink, whether in plastic, glass or aluminium, a small deposit around ten cents is added. This amount appears clearly on the purchase receipt and can be redeemed by returning the empty package to the store where it was bought or any authorised outlet. Supermarkets and retail outlets will be legally obliged to accept these returns regardless of the sale location.
Additionally, automated collection machines will be installed in strategic locations across Spain. These devices will scan barcodes, verify returns and refund deposits automatically, either in cash or via vouchers exchangeable in shops. The Government’s plan emphasises practicality and tries to mirror approaches already proven in EU countries with effective deposit-return systems in place.