“We need political momentum to launch the best Deposit Return System in the shortest possible time”
Retorna, Zero Waste Europe, and Reloop organised a conference bringing together all the stakeholders involved in the future Deposit Return System in Spain.
The Global Conference of Experts on Deposit Return Systems for Beverage Containers delivered a clear message: Spain is taking a decisive step toward a modern, effective waste-management model fully aligned with Europe.
The European Commissioner for the Environment, Jessika Roswall, opened the day by congratulating our country on the launch of the new Deposit Return System and highlighting its key role in advancing the EU’s environmental goals.
Throughout the day, international experts, institutions, producers, operators, municipalities, NGOs and small retailers shared evidence, experiences, and expectations that reinforced a common conclusion: Deposit Return Systems work. They improve selective collection, reduce littering, save municipal costs, and enjoy strong public support.
Experts such as Clarissa Morawski, Anna Larsson, and Martín Valese agreed on the need for inclusive, transparent and consumer-centred models. As highlighted by speakers from Austria and Estonia: “If the consumer is happy, everyone is happy.” Xavier Curto emphasised the importance of protecting our oceans.
In his intervention, Zero Waste Europe’s Joan Marc Simon talked about how Deposit Return Systems play a big part in systemic change towards more mindful production and consumption: “The higher goal is to generate less and reuse more. Recycling in Europe is in a big crisis; it’s not competitive. New infrastructures and systems like Deposit Return Systems must be open to other streams from the beginning to fix that”.
Producers, operators, and specialists in Deposit Return System models analysed the technical and operational challenges of the future system. They stressed the importance of developing a centralised, transparent, cost-effective and consumer-oriented model. We also heard from UNESDA’s Nicholas Hodac, who made an honest appeal for producers to take responsibility and design the best possible Deposit Return Systems to prevent their cans and bottles from continuing to pollute our environment.
The legal panel examined the European and Spanish regulatory frameworks. Experts concluded that Spanish legislation is fully compatible with the EU Packaging Regulation and that implementing the Deposit Return System will strengthen compliance with EU targets. They also sparked an interesting debate on the need for extraordinary legislation to provide greater legal certainty during the system’s rollout.
The morning session concluded with remarks from Antonio Romero from SDDR España, who detailed the efforts being made to operate an inclusive system that listens to all stakeholders and builds a universal, modern model adapted to Spain’s reality.
In the afternoon, a diverse panel—municipalities, recyclers, NGOs, activists, small retailers and trade unions—highlighted real opportunities: more green jobs; more reuse; better public health; more support for small retailers; and greater benefits for local communities.
Key conclusions of the day:
- Implement the system quickly to reach 90% collection by 2029 and 10% reuse by 2030.
- Include as many materials as possible to reduce the environmental, social and economic impacts of littered containers.
- Strengthen Extended Producer Responsibility, freeing municipalities from costs that should not fall on them.
- Ensure a model that promotes reuse from day one.
- Design a system that is accessible, simple, and fully consumer-oriented.
The day closed with a strong consensus: Spain can build one of the most advanced Deposit Return Systems in Europe if we make the most of international best practices and adapt them to our reality.
Now two key steps are essential:
- Solve the authorisation of the system operator as soon as possible.
- Build political momentum across all ministries to launch the best possible Deposit Return System.
