On April 10, 2026, Portugal launched its Deposit Return System (DRS) for beverage containers. Under the volta program, consumers can return plastic and metal beverage containers less than three liters at automated collection points and receive a €0.10 deposit refund.
According to volta, 2.1 billion beverage containers are consumed in Portugal each year. Of those, four million are lost. The 2,500 volta terminals will help increase the collection and recycling of single-use beverage packaging, reduce litter, improve the quality of recycled materials, and work towards achieving EU plastic waste targets.
Specifically, the DRS program addresses the requirement outlined in the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) that Member States achieve separate collection of at least 90% of plastic beverage bottles by 2029. Currently, 19 other European countries have implemented DRS, consistently achieving collection rates close to 90%.
The program was developed by SDR Portugal, a non-profit association established in 2019 that worked to study, research, develop, and evaluate the model that eventually led to the volta system. The process involved intensive collaboration with manufacturers and retailers.
The system relies on technology to operate, using automated machines to collect and sort the deposited plastic and metal beverage containers and issue the appropriate refund. Some volta machines allow users to donate their deposit to specific charities. The accompanying Volta Consumer app allows consumers to check whether their product is part of the DRS scheme in Portugal.
Presently, volta is focused on recycling rather than reuse and omits glass beverage packaging. According to a statement from Susan Fonseca at ZERO, Portugal, this is a lost opportunity and “the work for civil society organizations continues to make it a more robust and sustainable system.”
Reference
Larissa Copello. “Portugal launches its Deposit Return System ahead of the new EU packaging rules.” Zero Waste Europe.
