The management of packaging waste in Spain is about to undergo a major transformation. The Deposit, Return, and Refund System (DRS) will become a reality in the coming months, after the country failed to meet the legally mandated separate collection targets for plastic bottles. This model, already in operation in several European countries, will require consumers to pay a small deposit for each beverage container they purchase, which they will then recover when they return it to designated collection points.
The European Union has established a clear timetable, but the food sector and government agencies still have to resolve important issues regarding its implementation. Meanwhile, citizens are wondering how this measure will affect them, how much they will have to pay, and when it will actually be applied. In this article, we tell you everything you need to know about the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), based on verified information from multiple sources.
What is an SDDR and how will it work?
The Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) is a mechanism that incentivizes the return of beverage containers through a deposit . When buying a can, plastic bottle, or carton, the customer pays an additional amount (at least 10 cents) which is refunded when they return the empty container to a participating store. This system is not a tax or a permanent price increase, but rather a refundable deposit.
Spanish regulations, through Royal Decree 1055/2022, establish that the minimum deposit will be 10 cents per container, although this may vary depending on the format. The amount must be shown separately on the receipt. For example, if you buy six cartons of milk, four cans of soda, and two bottles of water, the receipt will show a line with the total number of containers (12) and the corresponding amount (€1,20).
When will it be implemented in Spain?
The European regulation on packaging and packaging waste came into effect on August 12, 2026, but the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) did not automatically begin on that date . Spanish law establishes a two-year grace period from the failure to meet the 2023 collection targets, which was confirmed in November 2024. This sets the deadline for its implementation as November 22, 2026. However, various sources within the sector and government indicate that it is very likely to be delayed until 2029, the maximum deadline set by Brussels for all member states to have a deposit system in place.
The Ministry for Ecological Transition has not yet given the green light to the operators who will manage the system, and the Community of Madrid, where the four candidate entities are headquartered, has also not authorized its operation. This has led many experts to assert that the November 2026 deadline is “virtually impossible to meet ,” as Luis Medina-Montoya, Business Development Director of RVM Systems Spain, has pointed out.
Which packaging will be affected?
The mandatory system will apply to single-use plastic bottles up to three liters, metal cans, and beverage cartons . In all these cases, the consumer will pay the deposit when purchasing the product. European regulations only require bottles and cans, but Spain has decided to also include beverage cartons, as outlined in Royal Decree 1055/2022.
Furthermore, it's important to note that the European regulation introduces other progressive measures. For example, from 2030 onwards, certain single-use containers will be banned in the hospitality sector, such as single-serving sauce packets or mini hygiene bottles in hotels. And from 2027, customers will be able to bring their own containers to establishments without incurring any additional charges.
The ultimate goal is to achieve a separate collection rate of 90% by 2029 , something that Spain is far from achieving for now: in 2023 only 41,3% of plastic bottles were collected separately, well below the required 70%, which poses a major recycling challenge to comply with Europe.
How is the deposit refunded?
Getting your money back will be easy. Once you've finished your drink, keep the empty container and take it to a designated return point. Supermarkets and large stores will have automated machines that scan the container's barcode and issue a receipt for the refund amount or a discount. In smaller shops, bars, and restaurants, refunds will be processed manually: staff will collect the container and refund the 10 cents in cash or credit your account.
Important: You don't need to have bought the drink at the same store where you're returning it. If the store sells that type of container, they must accept the return. Furthermore, they cannot force you to buy another product to get your money back. European regulations guarantee that the consumer can return the container and receive a refund without conditions.
Finally, it is essential that the container is not crushed and that the label is legible, as this will allow the machine or staff to verify its authenticity. This requirement will change the habits of many households, who will now have to save the containers instead of throwing them in the yellow bin, driving the PET recycling revolution and deposit return schemes.
The new system represents a cultural shift in beverage consumption, but also an opportunity to improve recycling rates and reduce plastic pollution. Although implementation is facing delays, it is a firm step towards the circular economy mandated by the European Union, and which other countries like Germany, Portugal, and the Netherlands have already proven effective.
