Spain’s Beverage Container Deposit-Return System (DRS/SDDR) Delayed, Officials Clarify Timeline and Details
Recently, rumors have been widespread that it’s possible to get a deposit refund for empty bottles at major Spanish supermarkets, particularly Mercadona. However, according to official information, this is a misunderstanding. Although new EU-level regulations took effect on August 12, 2026, Spain’s nationwide Deposit-Return System (Sistema de Depósito, Devolución y Retorno, or SDDR) was not implemented simultaneously.
Official Clarification: Deposit-Return System Not Yet Launched
In response to growing consumer inquiries, Spanish retail giant Mercadona has stated clearly that its stores in Spain do not currently have any machines or services for refunding deposits on beverage containers. The company noted that the relevant industry is still analyzing and evaluating the system’s implementation, and there is no officially confirmed launch date.
This means that consumers currently cannot get any money back by taking empty bottles to the supermarket. The so-called “cash for bottles” service has yet to be officially launched in Spain.
Why the Delay? Legal Background and Key Dates
The mandatory implementation of this system stems from Spain’s failure to meet its established environmental targets. According to data, Spain did not achieve its 70% separate collection target for plastic bottles in 2023, with the actual rate being only 41.3%.
Under Spain’s Royal Decree 1055/2022, if the collection targets are not met, the country must mandatorily introduce a DRS mechanism within two years of receiving formal notification. Spain’s Ministry for the Ecological Transition issued a formal notification on this matter on November 22, 2024, setting the final deadline for the law’s nationwide implementation in Spain to November 22, 2026.
Deposit Details: Amount, Scope, and Experience in Other Countries
Once the system is officially implemented, a preliminary framework for its operation is already in place. Spanish regulations stipulate that the deposit amount for each returned container will be no less than €0.10. This is a minimum standard, not a fixed refund amount. The deposit is a refundable guarantee and will cover plastic bottles, cans, and beverage cartons with a capacity of up to 3 liters.
It is worth noting that although Mercadona successfully launched a recycling program called “Volta” in neighboring Portugal in April 2026, offering a €0.10 refund per item, this model cannot be directly replicated in the Spanish market due to differences in specific regulations and operational details between Spain and Portugal.
For Consumers: Current Procedures and Future Outlook
Before Spain’s DRS is officially launched, consumers will not be charged any additional deposit fees when purchasing beverages. When disposing of packaging, you should continue to follow the current waste separation rules set by your local city council, placing plastic bottles, cans, etc., in the appropriate recycling bins.
In the future, once the deposit-return system is operational, all eligible beverage containers will feature a clear symbol. Consumers will then be able to return these marked empty containers to automated reverse vending machines in supermarkets or designated manual collection points in the community to get their deposit back.
