Spain to impose mandatory 10‑cent deposit on cans and bottles from August

Effective 12 August 2026, Spanish law requires bars, restaurants, supermarkets and other retailers to add a 10‑cent surcharge on single‑use drink containers – cans, plastic bottles and briks up to three litres. The charge is a refundable deposit, not a tax; consumers receive the amount back when they return the empty container to an authorized collection point.

The scheme implements the Sistema de Depósito, Devolución y Retorno (SDDR) under Spain’s Law 7/2022 on waste and EU Regulation 2025/40, targeting a 90 % recycling rate by 2029. Businesses must install collection machines and allocate space for returned containers, raising operational costs, especially for small establishments. The measure aims to reduce litter and increase recycling, following similar systems already in use across northern Europe.