Portugal is ahead of Spain when it comes to recycling and the sustainable economy thanks to the implementation of a new deposit, return and return (SDDR) system for plastic cans and bottles. In this way, the neighboring country has taken a step forward, standing out in Europe as a model in the fight against waste and packaging. In Spain this proposal is still waiting although it should be launched in November according to the regulations.
All this assuming that some establishments, such as the BonÁrea supermarket chainalready allow customers to leave their packaging in a machine in exchange for getting money. Returning to the Portuguese system, which is called ‘A Volta’, this will make customers recover 10 cents that they will have paid before at the time of purchase. It will be like a deposit.
That is, customers ‘pay’ for the containers when they go to the supermarket and then, when they deliver them, they get it back. The first ones to be taken are those with the program symbol. Then, the others. In the end it is expected that they will all be accepted.
The model is already in operation in about 60 countries and allows many of the containers used to have a second life thanks to recycling. The spokespersons for the Ha mar è mar platform have pointed out on social networks, as stated The Newspaperthat “the beginning of this deposit system means a before and after for our country. Society has been asking for its arrival for years and we are sure that it will be a success.”
What is missing to be able to implement this system in Spain?
The implementation of the deposit system in Spain already has a date and will have to be before November 22, although there are significant delays. The Retorna spokesperson, in statements to the aforementioned media, points out that the main problem is in the Community of Madrid, because it is paralyzing the authorization that is necessary for this system to be launched.
The problem is that Spain failed to meet the European objective of separate collection of bottles in 2024, reaching 41% and falling far short of 70%, thus considering that the obligation to implement this system should be activated.
And packaging waste is being seen almost daily, with 35 million currently ending up in the natural environment. That is why it is so important to take into account the Portuguese model, since it has taken a “historic step with the implementation of its deposit, return and return system for beverage containers”, pointing out that more delays cannot accumulate. “If Portugal has already started it, there are no more excuses for Spain.”