Cashback Plan for Plastic Bottles

Spain is set to implement a new cashback deposit system aimed at boosting plastic recycling rates. This initiative comes after disappointing statistics from 2023, which revealed that only 41.3% of plastic packaging was recycled in the country—far below the 70% target.

The Spanish government has announced that by January 1, 2027, the new system will be operational nationwide, aligning with the provisions of the current Waste Law. Under this program, consumers will pay an additional fee for single-use plastic bottles at the time of purchase, ranging from €0.10 to €0.20. This fee will be refunded when they return the empty bottles to designated collection points, such as stores.

This system mirrors a similar initiative previously used in Spain for glass bottles and is modeled after successful programs in countries like Germany, Norway, and Sweden. Initially, it will apply to plastic bottles under three liters, but there are plans to expand it to aluminum cans and cartons in the future.

Benefits of Plastic Recycling Through Deposit Systems

• Reduced Environmental Impact: The program is expected to significantly reduce illegal dumping, which poses risks to both ecosystems and public health.
• Improved Recycling Rates: Countries with similar systems have achieved recycling rates of up to 90%, proving the effectiveness of this approach.
• Economic Incentives: The cashback system encourages active participation from consumers, turning waste into a resource.
• Compliance with EU Goals: The initiative will help Spain meet the EU Directive 2019/904, which aims to minimize the environmental footprint of plastic products.