A week ago, the Ministry of Ecological Transition (MITECO) gave the green light to the implementation of the Mandatory Deposit, Return and Container Return System (SDDR) to avoid contamination of plastics and packaging such as plastic bottles, cans and cartons and promote their recycling and for which they will give you money back when you recycle them.
The context of this decision, long demanded by environmental organizations, arises after publishing data on the selective collection of plastic bottles which, according to the portfolio led by Sara Aagesen, remained in 2023 at 41.3% by weight compared to that introduced on the market, far from the target of 70% set by the waste law for this year.
“Price” of recycling
Even if the packaging recovery sector does not agree with the data made public by MITECO, which is far from that published by the ministry, the basis of everything is in the millions of containers which are consumed and which must be reused so as not to end up as waste in the environment.
The system “rewards» citizen effort for the recycling gesture allowing you to recover the cents that the consumer has already paid when purchasing bottles, cans or cartons. a formula very similar to the return of glass bottles or “helmets” what we did in Spain.
Integrated management system
However, the different players in the packaging value chain (manufacturers, packagers and distributors) have chosen to use an integrated management system (GIS) to valorize materials, following Law 11/97 on packaging and packaging waste.
Ecoembes reflects the current system and compares it, speaking of two alternatives, the SDDR and the current yellow container, by which the “companies chose to implement a GIS because they considered it more effective in achieving recycling objectivessince these objectives concerned the total waste of plastic packaging, cans, bottles, packaging, containers, films, cartons, trays, etc. and the SDDR focuses solely on the recycling of household beverage containers.
“Two decades later, what we call GIS – today called Collective systems of extended producer responsibility (SCRAP) – are the most used model throughout Europe to meet the obligations of community regulations on waste management”, according to the entity.
Supplement to purchase
The system approved by MITECO This is a phantom tax or surcharge that you pay when you consume and that when the containers are introduced into the system, an amount estimated between 10 and 20 cents is recovered, while waiting for the ministry headed by Sara Aagesen to decide on the economic amount.
To learn more about the system, Greenpeace, one of the organizations that have been calling for the system to be implemented for 15 years, has published a dossier to dispel doubts and raise awareness of the SDDR.
- What materials will be reused? Can you add everything? The SDDR system is specially designed for the recovery and processing of aluminum, plastic and cardboard. The most common objects for which the system is established are beverage containers, although this system can theoretically be applied to any container, tobacco butts, coffee capsules, etc.
- Do we need to install machines to return the helmet? No, the return can be manual and in most cases it will be. In Germany, 80% of the packaging collected is produced manually in establishments of all types. In the case of large stores, for the comfort and speed of these companies, packaging collection machines can be installed.
- Can I buy a can at a gas station in Vigo and bring it back to a store in Seville? Yes, you can buy your drink anywhere and bring it back to any local establishment or department store.
- When will it be fully established? If implementation begins at the end of 2024, citizens could “turn in the helmet” in 2026, even if we are already talking about January 2027.
- What is the best and worst of the new system? The best thing about this system is that it reduces economic and environmental costs and opens the door to the massive use of reusable packaging. Create new jobs, decontaminate the environment of plastic waste and commit to a circular economy. The worst will be for polluting companies and corporations, since the “polluter pays” rule will be applied to them.
According to Greenpeace, What should the new system look like to be truly effective? The system must integrate glass containers as early as possible and rely on standard containers allowing filling and reuse. Who and how will it be managed? The Government legislates and controls.
Packers and supermarkets manage with 100% responsibility. Which countries are already using it and how does it work? It works successfully in 50 countries and regions around the world. Although it already works in countries like Canada, Australia or several American states, Europe is at the forefront of implementing these systems.
What does the SDDR machine look like?
The machine for recovering plastic containers, cans or cartons will collect containers of up to three literswhich requires a storage space of 2 meters high and less than 1 meter wide.
In addition, these machines They compact the material so that the containers do not take up volume. These return spaces can be located at the entrance to the venue, inside the venue or even in car parks or outdoor spaces.
Greenpeace clearly states that The government does not bear the costs of the installation of the SDDR, and emphasizes that the extended responsibility of the producer falls to the industry who puts the packaging on the market.
How much would companies charge?
The machines must be maintained and maintained by the managers of the supermarket. This work is not a task that would be carried out voluntarily and without profit by supermarkets, since businesses charge a plastic bottle, can or carton for each container collected (between 2 and 3 cents).. Generally speaking, according to Greenpeace, in the countries where it operates, the benefits exceed the costs.
With the implementation of this system,Supermarkets would stop paying the green point to pay the SDDR point for drinks containersthe two systems would not be paid for the same type of packaging. The cost is the same, or even cheaper, in countries where the deposit system works more successfully.
