PUNTERS will soon have to pay more for bottles and cans across Spain’s bars and restaurants thanks to the incoming implementation of an EU-backed recycling scheme.
From August 12, a deposit of €0.10 will be applied to certain drink containers, including plastic bottles, metal cans and drink cartons of up to three litres.
The new Deposit, Return and Refund System (SDDR) is expected to cover a range of popular beverages including bottled beer, water and soft drinks.
Customers will then be able to reclaim the surcharge by returning the empty container to an authorised collection point.
Officials hope the move will drive an increase in recycling rates, with a target set of recovering 90 per cent of beverage containers by 2029.
Similar schemes have already been rolled out in countries including Portugal and Denmark with positive results.
Spain currently lags behind the EU with a packaging collection rate of just 40 per cent.
To make the system work, collection machines will be installed at participating outlets, allowing customers to return bottles and cans and reclaim their deposit.
However, the rollout is likely to present a significant logistical challenge with questions remaining over whether the infrastructure is in place to handle the expected volume of returns.
Businesses that charge the deposit – including bars, restaurants, supermarkets and shops – will be required to accept empty containers for refund, even if the item was bought elsewhere.
EU packaging regulations will also mean the phase out of many single-use sachets and packets used in bars and restaurants, such as those for sugar, salt or other condiments.
Click here to read more Spain News from The Olive Press.
