Spain Starts New Deposit System: Get 10 Cents Back for Recycling Packaging

Spain has introduced a new deposit system for drink packaging, requiring shoppers to pay an extra 10 cents on certain purchases that can later be refunded through recycling.

According to reports, supermarket chain Mercadona has clarified the details of how this refund process will operate for customers who buy eligible drinks in bottles or cans.

Under the scheme, consumers pay the additional 10 cents at the point of purchase. They can recover this amount by returning the empty container so that it is properly recycled rather than discarded as waste.

The measure will extend beyond supermarkets. From 12 August, bars and restaurants throughout Spain will also apply this extra surcharge to relevant drink purchases, meaning the deposit system will become part of everyday hospitality transactions as well as retail shopping.

In Andalucía specifically, the way residents purchase drinks is changing under the new rules. Customers will need to pay more upfront when buying certain beverages, though they retain the ability to reclaim that money by returning packaging for recycling.

The initiative forms part of a broader push in Spain to strengthen environmental sustainability and reduce packaging waste, particularly plastic and glass, which contribute significantly to pollution when not properly processed.

Businesses across the country, from large supermarket chains to small independent bars, are now required to adapt their pricing and inform customers about how the deposit and refund process functions.

While the immediate effect for shoppers is a modest increase in the upfront cost of certain drinks, the system is designed to incentivise recycling by giving consumers a direct financial reason to return packaging rather than throw it away.

The rollout across different sectors, from retail to hospitality, suggests the law is intended to apply broadly, encouraging consistent recycling behaviour regardless of where a drink is purchased.

As the law comes into force, both consumers and businesses in Spain will need to adjust to the new deposit-and-return process, which represents a notable shift in how packaged drinks are bought and sold.