From April 10th next year, all bottles and cans of drinks will be sold with a deposit fee, around 10 cents per package, which will be returned to the consumer when they hand over the container to a collection point. How will this system work? How will the refund be made? Where can you deliver the packages? SIC Notícias answers these and other questions.
Last year, Portugal had a rate of use of recycled materials of 3%, the third lowest among the Member States of the European Union (EU), according to Eurostat. To address this number, the Government decided to implement the Deposit and R Systemetorno (SDR).
What is the Deposit and Return System?
It is the new national system created to manage the entire process: collection, registration and recycling of packaging. It is under the responsibility of the Ministry of the Environment and involves large companies in the beverage sector.
What will change from April 2026?
From April 10, 2026all bottles and cans of drinks will be sold with a additional deposit feenearly 10 cents per packagewhich will be returned to the consumer when he delivers the container to a collection point.
Where to deliver the packages to receive the deposit?
The consumer can deliver packages to:
- Around 2,500 automatic machines installed on large surfaces;
- More than 8,000 manual collection points;
- 50 automatic kiosks in areas with a lot of affluence.
In addition to supermarkets, several cafes, restaurants, hotels and traditional stores, which will also be able to participate on a voluntary basis.
How does the refund work?
- The consumer edelivery packaging using a machine or manual point;
- Receive the value of the fee depositowhich can be in money, credit for purchases, digital transfer, or donation;
- In the case of machines, a receipt is issued with the amount refunded.
How will recycling be carried out?
The collected packages will be sent to:
- Six high-capacity processing centers;
- Two sorting unitsin Lisbon and Porto.
The aim is to ensure high-quality recycling and greater reuse of materials.
Are companies prepared?
Industry and commerce have just over four months to readjust prices, adapt labels and barcodes and ensure that their computer systems recognize packaging.
However, some experts warn of possible delays, as they believe the measure has been announced with little notice, according to o
How much will it cost to implement the system?
The creation of the SDR should be around the 100 and 150 million eurosincluding automatic machines, manual collection points and sorting centers.
What impact is expected?
- Avoid near 109 thousand tons of CO₂ per year;
- To create around 1,500 jobs;
- Reduce urban waste.
Does this system already exist in other countries?
Sim. One of the best-known examples is the Noruegawhere a similar system has been operating for around 50 years, and which has shown positive results.
