When the system Time was announced, the Portuguese began to think that it would be a way to “make money” by recycling. However, days before the launch of the “Volta” Deposit and Refund System, Questions are multiplying on social media: after all, will buying water weigh more on your wallet? A SIC Check.
The new Deposit and Refund System (SDR) for beverage packaging begins in Portugal on April 10th. When the announcement was made, the Government admitted that the main objective was related to the significant increase in recycling rates in the country.
If at first the initiative received praise on social media for its ecological potential, the proximity of its entry into force is changing the tone of the debate. Many Portuguese are looking at the measure with skepticism, exchanging enthusiasm for the accounts in their portfolio and questioning the real impact on the portfolio.
The doubt arises in publications like this: “In other words, with the new bottle deposit system, this pack of [nove garrafas] Will water cost another 90 cents? Is this it?”
What changes in the wallet at the time of purchase?
It is true that the amount payable at the time of purchase will be higher. However, it is important to distinguish between product price e deposit value.
According to the the system “Time” introduces a “simple mechanism”: for each plastic, aluminum or steel bottle or can (up to three liters), the consumer pays a “0.10 euro deposit”.
This value is not an increase in the price of water itself, but an amount that is “fully returned when the package is delivered to a collection point”namely in machines installed in supermarkets or at manual collection points.
Therefore, sand buy a pack of nine waters, you will pay an additional 90 cents on the total bill. However, this money is “retained” until you return the packages.
Refund can be obtained through a “receipt convertible into cash or discounts on purchases”digitally or even through “donation of value to institutions”.
Starting April 10, 2026 cthe transition period begins. Only packaging showing the “Volta symbol and readable barcode” will be subject to a 10 cent deposit
I and from August 10th, o system becomes mandatory for all single-use beverage packaging placed on the market.
SIC verifies that it is…
It is true that from April 10, 2026 an additional amount of 10 cents for each package at the time of purchase. However, this amount acts as a refundable depositwhich is returned to the consumer as soon as the empty packaging is delivered to the collection points.
