volta has arrived: New recycling system launches this Friday in Portugal

This Friday marks the nationwide launch of the Deposit Return System (DRS) for single-use beverage packaging, identified by the volta brand. From this date onwards, plastic, metal and aluminium bottles and cans with a capacity of up to 3 litres will be covered by a dedicated collection and recycling system. The system launches with over 90% of the volta Collection Point network already installed, which will now become operational to enable the return of volta packaging as it is progressively introduced to the market.

From 10 April, the system will cover packaging clearly identified with the volta symbol. These containers will carry a deposit of €0.10 per item, charged at the time of purchase and refundable upon return at a volta Collection Point or Kiosk. This model ensures dedicated collection and high-quality recycling, helping recycled materials from these containers to be reintegrated into the production cycle. As a result, with volta, a bottle can become a bottle again, and a can can become a can again.

The brand places consumers at the heart of the circular economy and covers clearly identified packaging, which must be returned empty, intact, uncrushed and with a legible barcode.

Until 9 August 2026, a 120-day transition period will take place to allow supermarkets, hypermarkets and HORECA establishments to manage their existing stocks. During this period, packaging with and without the volta symbol will coexist on the market, as currently available products are progressively replaced by new packaging included in the system. Packaging from the “pre-volta” period will not be subject to a deposit at the time of purchase and will not be accepted by the system. It should therefore continue to be disposed of in the appropriate recycling bins.

Maria da Graça Carvalho, Minister of Environment and Energy, states: “The implementation of the Deposit Return System is a decisive step towards strengthening the circular economy in Portugal and increasing packaging collection and recycling rates. This is an important contribution towards meeting European environmental targets and building a more sustainable resource management model.”

Leonardo Mathias, President of SDR Portugal, the organisation responsible for managing the DRS, states: “Today marks the beginning of a new era in recycling in Portugal. volta is here to transform the way we manage beverage packaging, bringing the country closer to the European Union’s ambitious circular economy targets. This is a firm and fundamental step towards a clear objective: achieving a 90% collection rate for this packaging by 2029. We are witnessing a truly historic moment. And the success of this change depends on all of us. With the active participation of citizens, we will build a more sustainable, more conscious and more responsible future. With volta, we will truly make a difference.”

Through an innovative and technologically advanced model that enables the individual tracking of packaging, volta encourages greater public participation and improves the quality of recycled materials, contributing to a more efficient and circular economy.

How does volta work?

When purchasing a beverage, consumers are charged a deposit of €0.10 per container, which is refunded when the packaging is returned in the required condition. volta automated Collection Points, located in supermarkets and hypermarkets, and volta Kiosks recognise eligible bottles and cans – made of plastic, aluminium or metal, with a capacity of up to 3 litres – and allow the deposit to be refunded in several ways: through a voucher redeemable for cash, a discount voucher at the point of sale, credit added to a loyalty card, or other digital solutions currently under development. Alternatively, the deposit can be donated to charitable organisations.

Where are volta Collection Points and Kiosks located?

From 10 April, approximately 2,500 volta Collection Points will be available in supermarkets and hypermarkets, with the network expected to expand to more than 3,000 over the coming months. These will be complemented by 48 volta Kiosks, particularly in areas with a strong presence of HORECA establishments.

Packaging can be returned at any volta Collection Point or Kiosk, regardless of where it was purchased. A map showing all locations will be available from 10 April on the volta website – www.volta.com.pt.

Additionally, the volta app will be available, allowing consumers to check packaging acceptance criteria, verify eligibility by scanning barcodes and locate the nearest volta Collection Point or Kiosk. The consumer app can be downloaded from the App Store and Google Play Store.

Packaging purchased at establishments such as cafés, restaurants or bars may also be returned at these locations, subject to the applicable conditions.

Which packaging is accepted by volta?

To be included in the system, bottles and cans must display the volta symbol, have a legible barcode, and be empty and intact. In the case of bottles, the cap must also be included.

Packaging purchased before 10 April is not covered by the system. After this date, a transition period will begin, lasting until 9 August 2026, during which packaging with and without the volta symbol will coexist on the market. Only packaging displaying the symbol will be subject to the deposit and eligible for return, allowing consumers to recover the deposit initially paid. All other packaging should continue to be disposed of in the yellow recycling bin.

From 10 August onwards, all plastic, metal and aluminium bottles and cans with a capacity of up to 3 litres will display the volta symbol and become part of the Deposit Return System.

What happens to packaging bearing the volta symbol after collection?

Once returned, the packaging enters a dedicated waste stream, where its materials are preserved as high-quality raw materials. The packaging is then transported to the 2 volta Counting and Sorting Centres (in Greater Lisbon and Greater Porto) before being sent to recyclers for processing into new materials.

Through this process, the materials are transformed into new packaging – a bottle can become a bottle again, and a can can become a can again.