In Sangüesa (Navarra), the government is trialling a deposit system for drinks containers together with Tomra. Since June 2025, more than 150,000 bottles and cans have already been collected via the reverse vending machines.
A pilot project for a deposit system for disposable drinks packaging has been running in the northern Spanish city of Sangüesa since June 2025. This involves the use of reverse vending machines from the Norwegian company Tomra. The project is being organised by the Government of Navarra's Office for Waste Prevention and Promotion of the Circular Economy (OPREC) in collaboration with the Sangüesa Regional Council and Sangüesa City Council.
Two Tomra T70 dual machines, which have been installed in a supermarket and at a central location in the city, allow PET bottles and cans up to three litres to be returned. The deposit of 0.10 euros paid beforehand is refunded for each package returned. More than ten local shops are involved in redeeming the deposit vouchers. The aim is to test the technology and processes ahead of the nationwide deposit system in Spain planned for November 2026.
The pilot project ends on 31 August 2025 and the findings will be incorporated into the nationwide introduction of the deposit system. Spain wants to achieve the recycling targets set by the EU for disposable drinks packaging. Similar systems already exist in over 50 markets worldwide, including Germany, Norway and, most recently, Romania and Austria.
Outlook for Spain's national deposit system
The introduction of the system in 2026 should also ensure that beverage packaging is returned efficiently across the board in Spain. The project in Sangüesa provides important practical experience for this and strengthens Navarre's role as a pioneering region in the field of sustainable waste management.
Source: Tomra
