Environment: Waste management news in Portugal

Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas has formally requested that the government immediately cancel the Volta packaging deposit system. The program, which refunds 10 cents for returned single-use containers, has been criticized by the mayor as an environmental policy that has devolved into an unprecedented social drama for the city's residents.

The government has approved the Terra+ strategy to address the country's dwindling landfill capacity, describing it as one of the largest investment programs of the decade. While reports on the total investment amount vary between 1.6 billion and 2.3 billion euros, the plan aims to significantly reduce the volume of waste sent to landfills.

Minister of Environment and Energy Maria da Graça Carvalho has announced plans for a new waste incinerator in the Algarve, estimated to cost €300 million. Environmental group ZERO has criticized the decision, arguing it undermines the circular economy, though the minister has expressed a willingness to discuss alternatives.

Starting August 10, retailers in Portugal are prohibited from selling single-use beverage containers that are not part of the national deposit return system known as Volta. Consumers will pay an additional 0.10 euro deposit per eligible plastic bottle or metal can, which can be reclaimed upon returning the packaging. Some restaurants have criticized the system, with some establishments opting to switch to glass bottles to avoid the new requirements.

One month after the launch of the 'Volta' deposit and refund system, many consumers report confusion as a large portion of packaging remains incompatible with the new machines. While the managing entity claims the collection network is nearly complete, supermarkets are still navigating the transition phase for the mandatory system seals.

Portugal is launching a national deposit and refund system for beverage containers, branded as Volta, on April 10. Consumers will pay a ten-cent deposit on single-use bottles and cans, which is refundable upon returning the empty containers to one of over 2,000 collection points. During a four-month transition period, containers with and without the Volta symbol will coexist on store shelves.

The sector regulator says Portugal's recycling performance is 'insufficient', with median collection rates near unsatisfactory levels and poor access to recycling points. It called on municipalities to 'get their house in order', highlighting that ease of access to containers and participation must improve to meet targets. People should report badly serviced areas to their local council as municipalities face pressure to expand and improve pontos de reciclagem (recycling points).