Portugal launches its Deposit Return System ahead of the new EU packaging rules
Portugal has officially launched its national Deposit Return System (DRS) for beverage containers. The system, known as “Volta”, provides a clear example of how Member States can take concrete action to tackle packaging waste in line with upcoming EU legislation.
From 10 April 2026, consumers can return plastic and metal beverage containers of up to 3 litres and receive a €0.10 deposit refund through return-to-retail systems. During a transition phase running until 9 August 2026, containers bearing either the Volta logo or the Green Dot logo coexist on the market . After 9 August 2026, the transition period ends and only containers with the Volta logo will be permitted, meaning the Green Dot system will no longer apply to beverage containers
With this launch, Portugal joins 19 other European countries where DRS is already in place – marking an important step forward for Southern Europe, where progress has historically been slower.
“The implementation of DRS in Portugal is an important step that, although later than expected (it was due to start in January 2022), will contribute to improve the circularity of the Portuguese economy and the cleanliness of our cities. Unfortunately, it is also a lost opportunity since glass was in the end excluded from the system and there is no foreseen integration with reuse. Therefore the work for civil society organizations continues to make it a more robust and sustainable system.” Susana Fonseca, ZERO
A proven solution to packaging waste
Deposit Return Systems are widely recognised as one of the most effective tools to reduce packaging waste. Across Europe, they consistently deliver collection rates close to 90%, significantly cut litter, and ensure high-quality material streams for recycling.
In Portugal alone, an estimated 4 million beverage containers are lost every day – equivalent to 46 every second. Civil society organisations highlight that the new system has the potential to virtually eliminate this waste stream.
To mark the launch, a public mobilisation took place in Lisbon on 10 April, led by Sciaena and Zero Waste Europe members ZERO (Portugal) and Retorna (Spain), alongside other organisations under the Há Mar e Mar platform. The action sent a strong signal of public support for ambitious waste policies and the urgent need to accelerate implementation of DRS across Europe. (see pictures below)
Delivering on EU targets under the PPWR and going beyond separate collection
Portugal’s rollout comes at a critical moment for EU waste policy. Under existing EU packaging legislation (PPWR), Member States must achieve 90% separate collection of plastic beverage bottles by 2029.
The upcoming Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) will further strengthen requirements on waste reduction, high-quality recycling, and the scaling up of reuse systems.
DRS is a key tool to meet these targets and its role should go beyond collection.
A well-designed DRS can also provide the infrastructure needed to scale up reusable packaging systems – an essential component for achieving the EU’s waste prevention and reuse objectives.
Expanding DRS to include glass containers for instance, will be crucial in this regard. While glass is highly recyclable, single-use glass packaging carries a significant carbon footprint due to energy-intensive production. As highlighted in Zero Waste Europe’s “How circular is glass?” report, reuse systems – when supported by efficient return and washing logistics – deliver far better environmental outcomes. In addition, glass is an inert and non-toxic material, making it particularly suitable for safe and scalable reuse systems.
Portugal’s DRS is a welcome and necessary step forward. But for countries implementing such systems for the first time, the real opportunity lies in going further.
Designing DRS solely around recycling risks locking Europe into a single-use model for decades to come. Instead, Member States should seize this moment to build systems that also enable reuse – reducing waste at the source, cutting emissions, and accelerating the transition to a truly circular economy.
“Portugal takes a historic step by launching its deposit and return system for beverage containers. It is a measure that reduces littering, improves collection, and shows that this change is already underway on the Iberian Peninsula. Spain cannot continue to fall behind. The law already sets the path; now what’s needed is political will, coordination, and a timeline to implement it as soon as possible. Portugal has already put it into action. Spain no longer has any excuses”. César Sánchez, Retorna
Europe cannot afford delays
Portugal’s progress stands in contrast to delays in other Member States, notably Spain, where the rollout of a legally mandated DRS remains stalled at the administrative level despite binding EU targets.
This highlights a broader challenge across the EU: while the direction of travel is clear, implementation remains uneven.
As Joan Marc Simon, founder of Zero Waste Europe, stated:
“Portugal is showing that well-designed Deposit Return Systems can be rolled out effectively and deliver results. What we need now across Europe is political leadership to ensure these systems are implemented on time, designed for convenience, and aligned with reuse goals. Delays not only jeopardise EU targets, they also prolong unnecessary pollution and single-use culture.”