This pilot, led by the Government of Navarra’s Office for Waste Prevention and the Promotion of the Circular Economy (OPREC) in collaboration with the Association of Municipalities of the Sangüesa Region and Sangüesa City Council, features two TOMRA T70 Dual reverse vending machines. Installed at a local supermarket and a central street location in the town, these machines accept PET bottles and cans and provide an easy-to-use and safe solution for container returns.
The initiative started running on June 1 and will end on August 31, allowing residents to return soft drinks, water, juices, isotonic and energy drinks, as well as beer in cans or plastic bottles of less than three liters. The eligible drinks carry a deposit of €0.10, which is refunded when the container is returned for recycling to a TOMRA reverse vending machine. This initiative not only tests the technology but actively engages the community and local authorities in preparing for Spain’s upcoming deposit return system. More than ten local businesses are participating in the pilot, accepting the deposit vouchers.
Oliver Cosani, VP of Business Development for Spain at TOMRA Collection, commented: “We are very honored and proud to see that TOMRA technology has been chosen to enable this great initiative. By making recycling accessible and efficient, the Government of Navarra and the Mancomunidad de la Comarca de Sangüesa are leading the way toward a circular economy and efficient use of our resources.”
The insights gathered from Sangüesa’s pilot will help fine-tune the rollout of DRS technology across Spain, reinforcing Navarra’s leadership in sustainability.
Spain deposit return scheme
Spain’s upcoming national deposit return system, set to launch in November 2026, is being introduced to help the country meet EU and recycling targets for single-use beverage containers.
