No, Spain does not have a widespread bottle deposit system. You do not get money back for returning empty bottles and cans.
How to recycle bottles and cans in Madrid
Instead of returning containers to supermarkets, you must recycle them in street bins. Madrid uses a color-coded recycling system.
Place plastic bottles and metal cans in the contenedor amarillo (yellow container). You should also place cartons and juice boxes in this yellow bin.
Place glass bottles and jars in the contenedor verde (green container). Make sure to remove any plastic or metal lids before recycling glass.
You should throw other waste like batteries or electronics at a punto limpio (recycling center).
The complete 5-bin recycling system in Madrid
Madrid uses five different colored containers on the street to sort household waste.
- Yellow bin - For plastic packaging, metal cans, and cartons.
- Green bin - For glass bottles and jars only.
- Blue bin - For paper, cardboard boxes, newspapers, and magazines.
- Brown bin - For organic waste like food scraps, coffee grounds, and plants.
- Orange or grey bin - For non-recyclable household waste and general rubbish.
Noise laws and quiet hours in Madrid
What is the SDDR system?
Spain is developing a new deposit scheme under recent environmental laws. This scheme is called the sistema de depósito, devolución y retorno (deposit, return, and refund system, or SDDR).
When fully active, you will pay a small deposit on plastic bottles and cans. You will get this deposit back when you return them.
However, this system is not widely available in Madrid supermarkets yet. You should continue using the color-coded street bins for now.
How the future SDDR system will work
The Spanish government introduced Royal Decree 1055/2022 to improve national recycling rates.
If Spain fails to recycle 70% of plastic bottles by weight, the SDDR system becomes mandatory.
The deposit is expected to be at least €0.10 per bottle or can.
You will return empty containers to supermarkets using automated reverse vending machines to get your refund.
Using local recycling centers (Puntos Limpios)
You must not throw special waste into the standard street containers.
Take household electronics, batteries, lightbulbs, and used cooking oil to a punto limpio (recycling center).
Madrid has fixed recycling centers and mobile trucks that park in neighborhoods on scheduled days.
Used cooking oil, called aceite usado, must be collected in plastic bottles and taken to these centers.
Questions and answers
Can I return beer bottles to the supermarket?
No, usually not. Most supermarkets in Madrid do not accept empty bottles. You must recycle them in the green street bins.
How much will the SDDR deposit be?
At least €0.10 per container. The government plans to set a minimum fee of ten cents for each eligible bottle or can.
Do Spanish bars return glass bottles?
Yes, sometimes. Bars and restaurants have private agreements with distributors to reuse glass bottles. This does not apply to retail customers.
What items cannot go in the glass container?
Crystal, mirrors, and window glass. You must not place drinking glasses or ceramics in the green bin. Take these items to a recycling center.
What is the Spanish word for used cooking oil?
Aceite usado. You should collect it in plastic bottles and recycle it at your local punto limpio.
