The next time you check the bill at your usual bar, you'll probably see a New line with a few extra cents for each bottle or can of drinks. This will not be an arbitrary price increase, but a system that Spain has been delaying for years and that already works in much of Europe.
This is the Deposit, Return and Refund System for containers (SDDR)This tool, which the government hopes will drastically improve recycling rates and reduce litter on streets, beaches, and public spaces, affects supermarkets, grocery stores, bars, restaurants, and cafes, which will be required to charge an additional fee for each beverage container sold.
What is the new bottle deposit system and why is it being implemented now?
The core of the measure is simple: for every single-use beverage container (plastic bottles, metal cans, cartons or certain glass containers) A small additional amount will be charged as a deposit.This money is not a tax or fee that is lost, but a deposit that is returned when the empty container is returned to the designated points.
This system is directly linked to European regulation on packaging and Law 7/2022 on waste and contaminated soils In Spain, the European Union has set very ambitious targets for separate collection and recycling, and has made it clear that the "use and discard" model that has filled landfills, seas, and rivers with packaging must be abandoned. Furthermore, the transition involves promoting new routes and industrial solutions for plastics that facilitate achieving those objectives.
In Spain, the so-called The 2022 Waste Law already anticipated achieving a 70% plastic recycling rate by 2023.But reality fell far short: in 2023, only around 41,3% of PET bottles were recycled, according to data from the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO). This shortfall has accelerated the adoption of deposit return schemes (DRS) as a mandatory tool to try to improve these figures and reduce emissions from plastic, as reflected in the data. various studies on plastic emissions.
The European calendar indicates that the deposit system will be mandatory in all EU countries from 1 January 2029Spain, however, has already set a much closer key date to have it ready in the retail and hospitality sectors.
Key dates: when the extra charge will start
The regulations establish that November 2026 is the deadline This will allow supermarkets, grocery stores, and hospitality businesses to adapt to the new packaging regulations and deposit system. From that moment on, each single-use bottle, can, or beverage carton will have a clearly itemized deposit amount on the receipt.
That timetable didn't come out of nowhere. The Waste Law established a phased system: first, the aim was to improve collection with the current models (containers and integrated management systems), and if the 70% selective collection rate was not achievedThe deposit return scheme would be activated. Since the targets were not met, the Government has implemented this mechanism, also to avoid EU sanctions.
The SDDR It is already a well-established reality in countries such as Germany, Norway, Lithuania, and Portugal.with return rates exceeding 90%. In Germany, for example, percentages close to 98% are achieved thanks to a dense network of vending machines and a well-established return culture among consumers.
In Spain, in addition to the general deadline of November 2026, certain temporary adaptations for small shops and rural businesses, who could have a few additional months to adjust to the system's logistics.
How the deposit works in practice: from ticket to refund
The system works similarly to what many remember from past eras with glass helmets, but with modern technology and a wider returns networkEach time you buy a beverage in a single-use container, an extra amount will be added as a deposit.
The figures being discussed place that amount at around 10 to 20 cents per containerDepending on the type and volume, this applies to plastic bottles up to 3 liters, cans of soft drinks or beer, juice cartons, and other similar containers. This surcharge will appear on the receipt as a separate line, distinct from the price of the beverage itself.
To get the money back, the consumer must return the empty container in good condition (with the barcode and label legible) at any of the return points participating in the system. It is not mandatory to return it to the place of purchase; it can be returned at any participating establishment or at specific vending machines.
One of the key points is that the system will be interoperable at the national levelBuying a bottle at one supermarket and returning it at another, or even at a machine in a train station or shopping center, should be equally valid. The aim is to make the return process as convenient as possible so that most people don't consider their deposit lost.
Which packaging will be included and which will be excluded
The deposit-refund system will not apply to everything found on supermarket shelves. The measure focuses primarily on single-use beverage containerswhich are the ones that most often end up discarded on public roads, beaches, rivers or landfills.
In general, the following will enter the system: plastic (PET) bottles up to 3 litersAluminum and steel cans of soft drinks and beers, beverage cartons such as juice boxes, and some single-use glass bottles. On this last point, it's worth remembering that Glass recycling in Spain is progressing and the hospitality industry plays a key role in its management.
They will be excluded, at least in the first phase, water bottles larger than 3 litersSome milk cartons, the classic returnable glass bottles from bars (which already operate with their own return system), and non-liquid or dry product containers. The idea is to start with those items that generate the most scattered waste.
Another important point is that the measure will not be retroactive: Only containers that are placed on the market with the SDDR identification symbol will be subject to a deposit.Bottles and cans that we already have at home or those purchased before the effective date will not be eligible for a refund.
Specific impact on bars, restaurants and cafes
The hospitality industry is one of the sectors where the measure is generating the most doubt and friction. The official position is that Bars, restaurants and cafes will have to charge a deposit for each bottle, can or carton of beverage they sell.especially when the product is consumed off the premises or delivered for takeaway.
For table or bar service, the process will be slightly different: the customer pays the deposit when ordering the drink and The establishment itself is responsible for retaining and returning the containers to the distributor.thus recovering the amount paid in advance. For the consumer who finishes the bottle at the bar and leaves it on the table, in practice there is no real additional cost if the system is properly adjusted.
The circumstances change when it comes to takeaway sales or packaging that the customer takes with themIn these cases, the consumer will have to manage the return later at an automatic machine, in the establishment itself (if it acts as a return point) or at another participating store.
In addition to the beverage storage, the regulations allow for charging for single-use plastic containers used to carry leftoversAlthough there is an emphasis on promoting more sustainable alternatives, such as reusable containers or those made of easily recyclable materials, the aim is also to encourage customers to bring their own refillable containers, provided they are clearly informed of the usage conditions and the establishment does not assume responsibility for any damage to these containers.
Logistical challenges and concerns of the hospitality sector
If there is one point on which many hospitality associations and business owners agree, it is that the problem is not so much the concept of the deposit as the day-to-day logistics of managing itSmall bars and restaurants with limited space will have to allocate square meters to accumulate empty containers until the distributor or management company collects them.
In cities where rent and commercial space are exorbitantly expensive, reserving an area for sacks and boxes full of used bottles and cans is seen almost as a luxury. This is compounded by concerns about the hygiene and sanitationPoorly rinsed containers, left to accumulate for several days, can generate bad odors or attract insects if collection is not frequent enough.
The possible administrative and operational overloadDuring peak hours, the thought of bar and wait staff dealing with returns, checking containers, and giving change is hardly appealing to restaurant and bar owners. There are fears that, if the process isn't simplified as much as possible, it will become yet another bottleneck in an already under immense pressure.
The hotel and restaurant employers' association and various other organizations have asked for clarity on who will take over. the adaptation costs, the machines and the collection logisticsThey argue that the sector should not act solely as a "collector" of the deposit without receiving compensation for the extra effort. The government, for its part, maintains that the system is essential to meet environmental commitments and that it will work to minimize the burden.
How much more will you pay and what impact could that have on your wallet?
The amounts discussed may seem small per drink, but They end up adding up in the total of the billThe deposits are estimated to be between 10 and 20 cents per beverage container, with variations depending on the material and size.
In a simple example, a table of four people ordering two drinks per person You could see the ticket price increase by around €1.50 or €2 just due to the deposit. If the group keeps the containers and returns them, they'll get that money back. Otherwise, the deposit will effectively become a direct increase in the cost of the outing.
In the hospitality industry, it is emphasized that payment must be totally transparentThe cost of the bottle must be itemized, and the customer can request clarification if it's unclear on the receipt. For many consumers, it will take some time to adjust to checking receipts and keeping bottles if they don't want to "give away" pennies every time they eat out.
In the domestic sphere, most families are expected to adopt the custom of Collect containers at home and return them periodicallyYou can take advantage of your weekly supermarket shopping trip or a visit to a collection point. One advantage is that the right to reclaim your deposit doesn't expire anytime soon, although the accumulation of empty containers is also limited by space.
Experience in other European countries: return rates and habits
The design of the Spanish system is clearly inspired by established models, especially the German “Pfand” and deposit systems in Portugal and other northern European countriesThese experiences serve as a reference for both the deposit amounts and the collection network.
In Germany, it has been achieved approaching 98% of returned packagingThanks to a dense network of hundreds of thousands of machines that identify barcodes, verify the type of material, and issue refunds in a matter of seconds. In Spain, there are already initiatives that apply technology to improve collection and recycling, as shown in articles about the use of AI and machines in glass recycling.
Portugal, for its part, has registered Return rates exceeding 80% in the first year of operation of its system, with direct economic incentives that make few consider the deposit lost. These are the figures that Spain aspires to replicate in order to move closer to European targets and reduce the pressure on landfills and municipal collection systems.
The key, according to countries that already implement it, is combine legal obligation with a simple user experience and very clear communication. If returning containers becomes cumbersome or confusing, many citizens will choose to bear the cost; if the process is quick and well explained, the habit becomes natural.
Information campaigns, national app and the role of large retailers
To facilitate the transition, the Government has announced that it will promote educational campaigns and digital tools that help to understand how the deposit return system works. Among the planned measures is the development of a nationwide mobile application that will allow users to locate the nearest return points using geolocation. Local examples demonstrate how combining AI and home visits can improve collection and raise awareness about recycling, as is the case in initiatives such as... Santa Cruz.
The idea is that this app can read QR codes included on invoices or on the packaging itself, inform about the amount accumulated in deposits pending refund and show maps with supermarkets, stores or automatic machines where to deliver the bottles and cans.
Large retail chains will play a leading role. Supermarkets and shops larger than 400 m² must act as mandatory return pointsby installing collection machines or setting up dedicated counters. Smaller establishments can join voluntarily or direct their customers to nearby locations.
The success of the measure will depend largely on this network being deployed uniformly throughout the territory, including rural areas and smaller municipalitieswhere collection logistics can be more complex. For bars and restaurants, it will be crucial to know where they can direct their customers if they are unable to manage the return directly.
With this new deposit system, The consumption of beverages in bars, restaurants and shops is entering a different stagewhere each bottle or can will carry a small financial commitment to recycling. The challenge will be to reconcile environmental protection with the daily realities of restaurant owners and consumers, who will have to get used to seeing and managing an extra charge for each container, but also to recovering that money if they participate in closing the return loop.
