Portugal Launch National DRS for Drinks Bottle Containers

Portugal has officially launched its national DRS for single‑use drinks containers, marking a major step forward in the country’s transition to a circular economy.

Branded under “Volta”, consumers will pay a €0.10 deposit when purchasing drinks in eligible containers, including PET plastic bottles and aluminium or steel cans of up to three litres. The deposit is fully refunded when empty containers are returned to designated collection points.

Retailers with stores larger than 400 square metres are required to accept returns, using either automated reverse vending machines or manual collection methods. More than 2,500 automated collection points are being deployed across urban and rural areas, ensuring convenient access for consumers across mainland Portugal, as well as the Azores and Madeira.

A transition period has been built into the legislation to allow retailers and supply‑chain partners to prepare. Designated return locations have 120 days to meet operational requirements, while existing non‑DRS products may continue to be sold for a limited time during the phase‑in period. After this transition window, only DRS‑compliant containers will be permitted on the market.

The launch signals Portugal’s intent to play a leading role in advancing circular economy systems, demonstrating how policy ambition can be translated into practical, high‑performing recycling infrastructure at national scale.

Read more on the introduction of the DRS scheme in Portugal here.