volta: What happens to unclaimed deposits and four other common questions

From deposit refunds to returning containers at cafés and restaurants, some questions remain about how volta works. We have brought together another set of statements about the system to distinguish fact from fiction. Since April, consumers have returned more than 540 million beverage containers. But is everything about volta already clear?

5 facts and myths about volta:

1. “All containers that have not yet been returned to the volta system represent unclaimed deposits.” — FALSE

The fact that a container has not yet been returned does not mean that its deposit is considered unclaimed or lost. Many containers are still in circulation, for example at home, in a shop or in a café, and have not yet been returned to the system. In these cases, the deposits are simply awaiting reimbursement.

On the other hand, the deposit paid on a volta container that is, for example, disposed of in a yellow recycling bin will be considered an unclaimed deposit.

The allocation of deposits officially classified as unclaimed is established by law and depends on whether the system meets its collection targets. Their primary purpose is to support improvements to the system’s operation. Deposits are only classified as unclaimed at the end of the third year following the placement of the containers on the market.

If the collection targets are not met, unclaimed deposits are divided equally between the Environmental Fund (Fundo Ambiental) and the Fund for the Promotion of Consumer Rights (Fundo para a Promoção dos Direitos dos Consumidores).

They therefore do not constitute profit for the system operator.

2. “I have to pay the deposit if I leave the container at a café or restaurant.” — FALSE

If a consumer leaves the container at the establishment, provided it is not damaged, the establishment is responsible for returning it to the volta system and the deposit should not be charged.

3. “I can return a volta container to the café where I bought it.” — TRUE

Beverage containers can always be returned to the establishment where they were purchased, whether a café, restaurant or similar business, provided they are in the required condition and the purchase receipt is presented if requested.

4. “volta will replace conventional recycling.” — FALSE

volta ensures that 100% of returned containers are recycled. Thanks to a dedicated collection system, these containers are kept separate from other materials and subsequently processed into higher-quality raw materials that can be used to produce new containers, supporting a more circular economy. volta therefore complements existing recycling bins and helps reduce the use of virgin raw materials.

5. “Beverage containers covered by volta must be empty and in good condition to be accepted for return.” — TRUE

Containers bearing the volta symbol must also be intact, not crushed, and have a legible barcode. This ensures that they are accepted by the system and that the deposit is refunded.

These five statements form part of volta‘s “True or False” campaign, which is running across television, radio, outdoor advertising displays and digital channels. Through the “voltómetro”, the campaign aims to address frequently asked questions about how the Deposit Return System works and help consumers understand the rules for returning eligible containers, encouraging more informed and effective use of the system.