Minister admits problems in the Volta system: “Transition process”

“ O The Volta system [...] is a European system in which it will be mandatory in all European countries and we were the 18th country to implement this system. In all of them, in the beginning, there were disturbances, so it is a system that is complex, but it is very useful to reuse plastic bottles and everything that is, cans ", said Maria da Graça Carvalho.

In statements to Portuguese journalists in Brussels after meetings at the European Commission, the minister stressed that “all problems are being seen”.

“There are still some problems that have been identified, some have resolved,” but “there must be supervision”, he added.

The minister pointed out the big events and festivals as one of the first problems detected, considering that this situation has already been resolved, and also referred to the need to find solutions to prevent people from turning the garbage to look for packaging to get their refund.

According to the governor, the placing of own containers with the waste disposal sites is being studied, while meetings are also taking place with the hospitality, restoration and similar sectors to overcome difficulties in applying the system.

“ We are in a process of transition, we hope to solve all the problems”, said Maria da Graça Carvalho, arguing that it is necessary to strengthen supervision and involve the municipalities, particularly in the location of collection machines and monitoring the operation of the system.

The minister explained that supervision is a shared responsibility between SDR Portugal, the system's managing body, and the municipalities, which have responsibility for collecting and managing waste.

SDR Portugal is a non-profit association responsible for the implementation and management of the Deposit and Refund System (SDR).

Maria da Graça Carvalho also defended the need to increase the number of collection machines, especially larger equipment, considering that some of the problems identified result from the lack of points where consumers can deliver packaging.

The Volta System came into operation in Portugal in April 2026, covering single-use beverage packaging, including plastic bottles and cans, up to three litres.

The mechanism provides for a deposit of 10 cents per package, which is returned to the consumer when the package is delivered at a collection point.

According to Maria da Graça Carvalho, Portugal paid about 200 million euros in the last year for plastic that has not been recycled and about 600 million euros in the last three years, values that, in its view, reflect the costs associated with non-compliance with the waste management targets.

The system meets the European goals for collecting and recycling drinks packaging, which Portugal is obliged to meet.