The return of beverage packaging will become a reality in Portugal from April 2026, with the Deposit and Return System for bottles and cans coming into operation. The measure implies an additional payment of 10 cents upon purchase, an amount that will be refunded to the consumer when the package is delivered to an authorized collection point.
The objective of the system is to encourage the return of used packaging, reduce abandonment in public spaces and reinforce recycling, in a model already applied in other European countries and now confirmed by the Portuguese Government.
According to SIC Notícias, each can or bottle of drink will now include a deposit of 10 cents, paid at the time of purchase. This amount can be recovered by consumers by delivering the empty packaging to automatic machines or manual collection points.
According to the same source, the system will be accessible mainly in hypermarkets and supermarkets, allowing returns to be made in the usual shopping circuit, without the need for additional trips.
Where and when to return packaging
It is planned to install around 2,500 automatic machines and 12,500 collection points across the country. These equipment will accept beverage packaging, validating the return and issuing the corresponding refund.
The Minister of the Environment, Maria da Graça Carvalho, explained that the network is being prepared to be operational from April 2026, coinciding with the application of the deposit value on packaging.
System designed to change behaviors
The same source states that the model aims to change consumption and disposal habits, creating a direct financial incentive for the return of packaging. The value does not correspond to a fee, but rather to a recoverable amount, dependent on the consumer’s participation. The official highlighted that the focus is on shared responsibility between producers, retailers and consumers, aligning Portugal with practices already consolidated in other European markets.
At the same time, the Government decided to remove the creation of a tax on ultralight plastic bags, frequently used when purchasing fruit and vegetables. According to SIC Notícias, this hypothesis was formally withdrawn, maintaining the focus on beverage packaging.
Even so, the publication adds, a negotiation process is underway to replace these bags with reusable alternatives, such as mesh or fabric bags, although this measure is not linked to the deposit and return system.
Replace habits without creating new fees
Speaking to the ECO news portal, Maria da Graça Carvalho stated that the Government’s option is to change behavior without increasing the tax burden. “The tax has not gone forward. But the replacement of habits is going forward”, said the minister, quoted by the publication.
The Ministry of the Environment is evaluating different materials for the new reusable bags, including recycled plastic and alternative fibers, ensuring that the environmental impact of each option will be analyzed.
What changes for consumers
According to , the Government’s expectation is that, at an initial stage, the new reusable bags can be offered at points of sale, although this decision is still being evaluated. The priority, however, remains in implementing the packaging return system. By applying the deposit to bottles and cans, the Executive believes that consumers will start to see packaging as an asset with its own value, reinforcing adherence to returns and contributing to more demanding environmental goals.
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