Latest news and stories about waste management in government in Lisboa, Portugal for expats and residents.
The cancellation of the Volta project does not require the repayment of Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR) funds to the European Commission.
Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas is urging the Portuguese government to abandon the 'Volta' recycling deposit system, citing social issues and urban waste problems, while the government maintains the system is a necessary European obligation.
Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas has urged the Portuguese government to immediately terminate the Volta packaging deposit system, citing it as a source of significant social distress despite its environmental intentions.
The national deposit and return system for beverage containers, launched in April of this year, has been the target of criticism from the Lisbon mayor.
The Mayor of Lisbon stresses that the system is causing “serious social problems” in the Portuguese capital.
The Mayor of Lisbon asked the European Parliament to “review” the Volta system. “I see people in my city searching through rubbish bins every day. I have reports of people who were in drug treatment programmes who abandon their treatment to go to this system to get a few cents for their next...
Leonardo Mathias argues: despite the controversy, Volta is not a political matter. Is action needed? The president of SDR Portugal says yes, but the collaboration of municipalities, such as Albufeira, is necessary.
SDR Portugal says it may finance costs attributable to Volta packaging. Lisbon, which demands the end of the deposit and refund system, remains without the six planned kiosks.
The proposal to recognise the 'public interest' of the Abrunheira landfill, which serves the municipalities of Mafra, Cascais, Sintra, and Oeiras, was rejected by the Mafra Municipal Assembly. The four mayors must now find short-term solutions for solid waste management, as the current site is at 91% capacity and expected to close by 2027. While the project had received positive opinions from regional development and agricultural commissions, local opposition in Mafra has halted the expansion, which aimed to increase capacity by one million tonnes by 2030.
The mayors of the AML, meeting in the Metropolitan Council, unanimously condemned the “harmful” social and environmental effects of the packaging deposit system.
The municipalities of the Lisbon Metropolitan Area (AML) unanimously contested the Volta packaging system today, arguing that it is not working and has harmful social and environmental effects, while advocating for an urgent review.
The 'public interest' recognition for the Abrunheira landfill, which serves the municipalities of Mafra, Cascais, Sintra, and Oeiras, faces a potential veto by the Mafra Municipal Assembly. PSD councillors have formally opposed the measure, arguing it harms local residents, while accusing the executive led by Hugo Luís of bypassing municipal oversight. If rejected, the landfill—which is nearing capacity—will close in 2027, forcing the four municipalities to find alternative waste disposal solutions that could cost up to 40 million euros annually. Tratolixo had requested the extension to increase capacity by 1 million tonnes, but concerns regarding air quality, odour control, and increased heavy traffic on the National 9 road have fuelled local opposition.
In an interview with Observador, Vítor Carvalho says the municipality is not fulfilling its urban hygiene obligations. Also, nearly 450 flights were cancelled or delayed in Russia due to a drone attack.
Litter scattered on the streets sparked a conflict between the Government and Lisbon City Council. In other countries, the system also required time, corrections, and social adaptation.
Maria da Graça Carvalho may even find solutions for the Volta project, but it is up to Carlos Moedas to solve the problem that already existed and for which he made a campaign promise. Editorial by Marta Moitinho Oliveira
Carlos Moedas wants to end Volta, but the Government rejects the idea. Leonor Riso explains what is at stake and what other deposit and refund systems in Europe show.
Waste chaos leads the Mayor of Lisbon to call for the end of the system. The Minister says it is a European obligation.
Moedas suggests that Portugal should emulate France's approach to recycling, but notes that this would require recycling bins to collect over 80% of packaging.
The Mayor of Lisbon calls Volta a 'social drama'. Meanwhile, André Ventura promises legal action following the rejection of the parliamentary inquiry. Also, the proposal to lease land to private entities to create affordable housing.
Faced with the possibility of ending the deposit and refund system known as Volta, the Minister of Environment and Energy, Maria da Graça Carvalho, is categorical: “No, it is not under consideration. It is mandatory at a European level.” The minister considers the process “successful” and argues that behind the “social dramas” that...
The Minister of Environment admits adjustments, but guarantees that the Volta system will continue. The Mayor of Lisbon advocates for the immediate end of this packaging deposit system.
During a press conference from the capital, the mayor stated he had presented the French example to the Government, where he claimed the system has been suspended.
Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas has called on the government to immediately scrap Portugal’s Volta bottle and can deposit-return scheme, claiming it has created serious social and urban hygiene problems in The post Lisbon mayor calls for end of Volta recycling scheme appeared first on Portugal Resident.
A recycling and reuse policy “is necessary”, states the Social Democrat Carlos Moedas. But “it should be neither a tax nor a social drama”.
Carlos Moedas asked the Government this Tuesday to cancel the Volta packaging deposit system “immediately”, claiming that the 10-cent refund per bottle or can is turning into “a tax for those who pay” and an urban hygiene problem in cities.
The Mayor of Sintra acknowledges that there is still a small number of people who do not respect the rules and, therefore, has launched this awareness campaign.
The campaign appeals to Sintra residents not to leave large items on the street without first contacting municipal services. 167 administrative offences have already been issued since the beginning of 2026.
A direct appeal to Sintra residents not to leave bulky waste and green waste on the street without first contacting their parish council or municipal services.
The Government admits there are problems with the Volta System. However, the Environment Minister guarantees that solutions for each of these issues are being analysed and points out that this is a mandatory system throughout the European Union.
