Lisbon, July 21, 2026 (Lusa) - Portugal's Deposit-Return Scheme (SDR), known as Volta, reached the milestone of 100 million single-use drinks containers returned this week, with a collection rate of 38%, the scheme operator announced on Tuesday.
In a review of the last three months, SDR Portugal, the body responsible for implementing and managing the scheme, highlighted in a statement the rapid and growing uptake by the Portuguese of a scheme that is still in its early stages but which also represents a major change in habits.
In the statement, SDR also refers to reports concerning street cleanliness in various cities across the country, with rubbish bins being vandalised (and rubbish scattered on the streets) as people search for Volta returnable containers.
SDR Portugal says it is willing to work with local authorities and businesses to strengthen the network and adapt collection solutions, acknowledging that «effective responses» are needed.
It warns that «isolated problems must be resolved quickly, but cannot be used to draw definitive conclusions about a public policy that has only just got off the ground».
Cases similar to what is happening in Portugal with recycling bins were also reported when the system was first introduced in several European countries and gradually diminished as the infrastructure expanded and the return of empty containers became part of people's daily lives, it says.
It gives examples: Germany, the Netherlands, Latvia, Malta and Ireland. Each has opted for different solutions, ranging from public awareness campaigns and adaptations to urban infrastructure to even CCTV surveillance.
Germany has installed racks on the outside of rubbish bins for SDR packaging, ensuring it remains visible. In Latvia, the opening of bins was considered a problem during the first two years but has decreased very significantly following changes to urban waste management.
In Ireland, the situation most similar to Portugal's, the problem has been the vandalism of bins and littering. External holders for deposit-bearing packaging were installed, but these only partially resolved the issue. Almost two and a half years after it began, collection rates now exceed 90% and urban litter has been halved.
In its press release, SDR Portugal emphasises that scientific evidence shows that these systems help to reduce littering and contribute to more efficient management of public spaces.
It concludes that the vandalism of bins is primarily an urban and localised phenomenon that is on a downward trend, and that communication is key.
Several countries have reinforced the message that placing packaging in unsorted waste is the main factor driving demand for it in bins.
The SDR Portugal association also highlights that the Volta scheme is accelerating progress towards environmental targets. Portugal is failing to meet the targets set by Brussels and, over the last three years, has already paid fines totalling €600 million, funded from the state budget. Figures for the first half of the year indicate that recycling collection has stagnated.
Portugal was the 19th country in the European Union to adopt the system. There are now more than 2,500 automatic ‘Volta' points, for example in supermarkets. These are complemented by manual collection points and a network of 50 kiosks.
Expanding this network is essential, says the association, pointing out that 54% of urban waste still ends up in landfill.
In its statement, SDR also clarifies that the Volta scheme does not use public funds.
The initial investment was made by producers/packagers and packagers/distributors, and funding is provided by private entities and revenue from the materials collected.
Unclaimed deposits (€0.10 per item of packaging) do not constitute a profit for SDR Portugal nor revenue for the State. They are reinvested in the operation and improvement of the system.
FP/AYLS // AYLS
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