Spain is approaching a turning point in beverage packaging, but the country has still not activated the deposit return model already being tested in neighbouring Portugal. The issue is becoming increasingly relevant for supermarkets, beverage brands, recyclers and consumers, as European collection targets put pressure on national systems to recover more bottles and cans before they become waste.

In Portugal, the system is already visible in retail. Mercadona has introduced return machines in selected stores, including the Caldas da Rainha supermarket, where customers can return single-use plastic bottles and aluminium cans and receive a 10-cent refund. The money can be credited to a bank card or issued through store-related options such as coupons or loyalty benefits, depending on the location and system used.

The model is simple but powerful. A small deposit is added when a consumer buys a drink in eligible packaging. That value is recovered only when the empty container is returned in acceptable condition to an authorised collection point. For packaging companies and retailers, this changes the role of the pack: it is no longer only a product container, but also a traceable material asset that must re-enter the circular economy.

Deposit return systems are designed to make packaging recovery visible, convenient and economically meaningful for the consumer.

Spain, however, remains in a slower phase. The country is expected to introduce a deposit return system for beverage containers, known as SDDR, by November 2026 after failing to reach the required plastic bottle collection performance. According to the reported figures, Spain collected only 41.3% of plastic bottles in 2023, well below the 70% threshold linked to European requirements.

The delay is not only technical. It is also regulatory and organisational. Spain still needs a clear operating framework defining who will manage the national system, how retailers will participate, what packaging formats will be included and how costs will be distributed across producers, supermarkets, logistics operators and recycling companies. Several organisations are reportedly positioning themselves to operate or participate in the model, including SDDR para España, Ecoembes, Corepet and Procircular.

• Retailers will need collection infrastructure and consumer-facing return processes.
• Beverage producers will need packaging compatible with deposit identification and reverse logistics.
• Recyclers could benefit from cleaner, better-sorted material streams.
• Consumers will be asked to change everyday disposal habits.

One of the most interesting differences between Spain and Portugal is the potential scope of the system. Portugal’s current pilot focuses on plastic and metal beverage containers up to three litres, while Spain is considering a broader approach that may also include carton-type packaging. If confirmed, this would create a more complex system, but also one with greater potential impact on packaging recovery and material separation.

For the packaging industry, the Spanish case is important because it shows how environmental regulation can reshape an entire value chain. Labelling, barcode readability, container durability, collection-machine compatibility and material traceability may all become more important. Brands may also need to rethink pack design so that containers remain easy to identify and return after use.

The urban impact could be considerable. Spain sells around 18 billion beverage containers each year, and a well-designed deposit return system could reduce litter in streets, beaches and public spaces. Experience from other European markets suggests that even a modest financial incentive can improve return behaviour when the infrastructure is convenient and the rules are clear.

Portugal’s experience now works as a practical reference for Spain. It shows that consumers can adapt when the process is automated, refunds are immediate and collection points are integrated into regular shopping routines. For supermarkets, this may create operational challenges, but it can also increase customer visits and strengthen their role in circular packaging systems.

The question is no longer whether packaging recovery must improve, but how quickly Spain can build a system capable of meeting environmental targets without creating unnecessary complexity. For converters, recyclers and beverage brands, the coming months will be critical. The future SDDR could become one of the most important packaging policy shifts in the Spanish market, accelerating the transition from disposable consumption to measurable circularity.