Starting April 10, consumers will be able to return beverage bottles and cans and receive 10 cents for each package. The new Deposit and Refund System comes into operation on this date and provides for a national network of automatic machines and collection points to encourage quality recycling.
According to the portal specialized in economics ECO, which interviewed the president of the Deposit and Refund System, Leonardo Mathias, the model foresees that, at the time of purchase, an additional amount of 10 cents will be charged for each package included in the system. This amount will be refunded when the consumer returns the empty packaging to an authorized point.
How to identify the packaging covered
Eligible packaging will be identified with the system’s brand, called Volta, and with a specific barcode that will allow machines to read it.
As explained by ECO, although the system officially starts on April 10, there will be a transition period of 120 days. During this time, packaging with and without a refund code will coexist on the market. In the case of old packaging, the consumer will not pay the additional amount and will not be entitled to a refund.
The deposit amount will appear detailed on the invoice, just below the product price, allowing the amount paid as a deposit to be clearly identified.
Where can you return bottles and cans
Collection will be done through around 2,500 automatic machines installed in supermarkets measuring more than 400 square meters. There are approximately 2,800 establishments of this size in Portugal, which means that the majority must be equipped with the system.
According to the same source, the objective is to have around 85 percent of the machines installed by the departure date. In addition, around 8,000 manual collection points will be available, mainly in large hotels and establishments with high consumption of beverages.
The system will also include 48 kiosks designed to deliver larger quantities of packages, located in 38 municipalities. These spaces will allow you to deposit a bag with various packages, facilitating returns by the restaurant and hotel sector, although they will also be accessible to the general public.
Under what conditions should packages be delivered
To be accepted by the machines, the packaging must be intact. As Leonardo Mathias explained to ECO, dented or missing packaging can be rejected, as the system needs to correctly read the code and ensure that the material is sent for high-quality recycling.
Delivery to the machines is done one by one. The equipment identifies the barcode and checks the condition of the packaging before accepting the return.
How to receive the money
Reimbursement can be made in four different ways. The consumer can choose to receive a receipt for cash collection at the supermarket checkout, use a discount coupon for future purchases, load the amount onto the establishment’s card or donate the amount to a charitable institution indicated in the system.
According to , there will be a national institution, rotated annually, with each supermarket also being able to associate a local entity.
The system is open to any user, including tourists, and the machines will have language options. A mobile application is also planned that will make it possible to locate return points, although its launch is scheduled for a later phase.
With this model, Portugal joins the countries that have already adopted deposit and refund systems as a way to increase recycling rates and reduce waste.
From April onwards, each package will be worth 10 cents. And the gesture of return will have an immediate return.
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