The Deposit and Refund System (DRS) for packaging is set to launch in 2026, following a four-year delay, announced Environment Minister Maria da Graça Carvalho on Tuesday, marking April 10 as the start date for this system.
How will it work?
In practical terms, from that date, the purchase of single-use packaging in supermarkets will be subject to a deposit fee, which will be refunded upon returning the empty packaging at collection points.
The system aims to incentivize the return of non-reusable plastic beverage containers and introduce a deposit system for non-reusable beverage containers in plastic, glass, ferrous metals, and aluminum, as stated on the website of the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA).
The Minister of Environment further elaborated that the system will operate with 2,500 machines in eight thousand collection points, which will receive single-use beverage packaging made of plastic, aluminum, and steel.
Which packages are covered?
According to the APA, the scope of the DRS includes non-reusable primary beverage containers made of plastic, ferrous metals, and aluminum with a volume of less than three liters, encompassing the following beverage categories:
- Mineral and spring waters and other bottled waters;
- Juices and nectars, and fruit and vegetable mixes;
- Concentrates for dilution;
- Soft drinks, including tea, coffee, and herbal-based drinks;
- Energy and isotonic drinks;
- Beer, cider, sangria, and alcoholic mixes.
The DRS excludes service packaging and primary beverage packaging containing more than 25% dairy ingredients. Additionally, packaging that, for exceptional and duly justified reasons, does not meet the characteristics compatible with the deposit and refund system, as per Article 30-L of Decree-Law No. 152-D/2017, dated December 11, as amended, is also excluded, according to the APA website.
How will the deposit work?
As explained by DECO PROteste, when purchasing a 1.5-liter juice bottle, for instance, an additional deposit fee is charged per packaging, and this amount (yet to be disclosed) can only be reclaimed by returning the used packaging at designated locations.
The deposit amount will be indicated on the packaging.
There are two ways this reimbursement can be carried out:
- At manual collection points, in cash or through other methods like exchange or shopping vouchers equal to the deposit value;
- At automated collection points, via dematerialized payment forms, donations, or a voucher confirming the return, redeemable in cash or through other methods such as discounts on purchases, activities, and services equivalent to the deposit value.
Even if the reimbursement is provided as a discount voucher, the option for cash reimbursement will always be available. However, damaged packaging or illegible labels will preclude reimbursement.
Moreover, if the reimbursement is issued as a discount voucher, the managing entity of this system may set a validity period. Still, this period cannot be less than 12 months.
