Deposit and Refund
System (SDR)
What is the Deposit and Refund System?
The Deposit and Refund System (SDR) encourage the return of single-use beverage containers, such as plastic (PET) bottles and cans, by charging a deposit at the point of purchase. This amount is subsequently refunded to the consumer when the container is returned to an authorised collection point.
The aim is clear: to increase recycling rates, reduce waste, promote the transition to a circular economy and meet European environmental targets. This system has been in place in several countries around the world for a number of years.
What changes from 10 April?
From 10 April, plastic bottles and beverage cans covered by the Deposit and Refund System, identified with the SDR Portugal symbol Volta, will now have a deposit value and will no longer be placed in the yellow recycling bin.
These containers will now have their own return system.
The consumer pays the deposit at the time of purchase and recovers this amount when returns the single-use containers to the collection point.
During the transition period of 120 days starting from April 10, packages with and without the SDR Portugal symbol may coexist on the market. Packaging that does not bear the symbol must continue to be placed in the yellow recycling bin.
How does the SDR work?
For consumers, the Deposit and Refund System will operate in an accessible, user-friendly and intuitive way. When purchasing single-use beverage containers of less than three litres, the consumer will pay a deposit, which will be refunded in full upon return.
Once the single-use containers have been returned to the collection points available throughout the country, they will be sent to the Counting and Sorting Centres.
Subsequently, the containers will be transformed into secondary raw materials (such as recycled plastic and aluminium), suitable for food contact, which will be used in the production of new packaging, made available once again for purchase by consumers.
SDR Portugal thus ensures that the consumer recovers the full amount paid at the time of purchase and contributes, actively and responsibly, to the national effort in collection and recycling.
Which packaging is covered by the SDR?
The Deposit and Refund System applies only to:
•Single-use beverage packaging – bottles and cans – made of plastic, metal or aluminium, with a capacity of less than 3 litres.
These containers will be marked with the official SDR Portugal symbol, “Volta”, and will be
subject to a deposit payable at the time of purchase.
Which packaging should still be placed in the yellow recycling bin?
All plastic and metal packaging not covered by the Deposit and Return System should still be placed in the yellow recycling bin.
These include, amongst others:
- food packaging (excluding drinks);
- packaging for cleaning or hygiene products;
- cans that are not for drinks;
- plastic, metal or aluminium packaging that does not bear the SDR Portugal.
The yellow recycling bin continues to play a vital role in the separate collection of packaging not covered by the SDR.
Where and how to return SDR packaging
Packaging covered by the SDR must be returned to the collection points located throughout the country, including the Autonomous Regions of the Azores and Madeira. In total, there will be 2,500 automatic collection points (located in supermarkets and hypermarkets), around 8,000 manual collection points and 48 kiosks spread across 36 municipalities.
To be accepted, in addition to bearing the Volta symbol, packaging must:
- be empty;
- be complete (with a cap, in the case of plastic bottles);
- be in their original shape (they must not be misshapen or crushed);
- allow the barcode to be read;
- bear the SDR Portugal symbol.
(fonte Associação SDR)
Deposit amount: what it is and what it isn’t
The deposit amount is neither a tax nor an additional charge. It has been set at €0.10 (10 cents), an amount not subject to VAT.
This is a temporary charge, paid at the time of purchase and fully refunded to the consumer when the packaging is returned to a collection point.
Unclaimed deposits remain in the system and are reinvested in its operation and improvement.
What are the main advantages of this SDR?
Accelerating the achievement of environmental targets by promoting the recovery of materials and the optimal use of resources, in conjunction with existing waste management systems;
Ensuring complementarity between the various waste management systems (SIGRE, SDR and Reuse) to ensure a more integrated and efficient approach;
Implement a more efficient and technologically advanced model, capable of, within less than two years, improve separate collection and modernize packaging;
Encourage active consumer participation through the return of deposits;
Improve efficiency in the management of recyclable materials, ensuring and greater reuse of collected resources;
Reduce the illegal dumping of waste in public spaces, contributing to cleaner cities and lower operational costs for local authorities;
Reduce the amount of single-use plastic, steel and aluminium beverage packaging to landfill;
Strengthen the capacity of domestic recyclers, reducing dependence on foreign sources and strengthening the circular economy.
What will change in the paradigm of recyclable waste recovery?
SDR Portugal’s objective is to implement an efficient and effective recycling system, which translates into consumer satisfaction and high recovery and recycling rates, in accordance with the principles of the circular economy. This model will contribute to an effective change in consumer behaviour, encouraging greater participation in waste sorting and an increase in quantity and quality of recyclable material.
What is SDR Portugal’s commitment to the waste sector?
For the first time, with SDR Portugal, industry and the retail sector will join forces to achieve what they believe to be a national objective: to increase the collection and recycling of single-use beverage packaging, reducing its impact on the environment and contributing to meeting the targets to which Portugal is committed (a 90% collection rate by 2029). At the same time, they will create conditions to stimulate technological innovation, strengthen the competitiveness of Portuguese companies and boost the . SDR Portugal aims to manage an efficient system that will reduce the complexity of the registration system for covered packaging, simplifying the packers’ and retailers’ operations, with more transparent costs and processes. This new system will provide greater clarity for consumers, contributing to higher recycling rates and the achievement of European targets, as well as helping to reduce littering and marine litter.
What impact will the success and efficiency of the DRS have in Portugal?
The success and efficiency of the Deposit and Refund System (SDR) in Portugal will be crucial to meeting the targets set by Directive (EU) 2019/904 and Regulation (EU) 2025/40, which set ambitious targets for separate collection, recycling and the incorporation of recycled material into single-use beverage packaging.
All single-use plastic bottles must contain at least 30% recycled plastic by 2030 and 65% by 2040. Furthermore, the regulation requires Member States Member States to achieve separate collection rates of 90% by 2029, ensuring a continuous flow of recyclable materials and reducing dependence on virgin resources. This transition will ensure compliance with European requirements, boost the circular economy and promote a more sustainable consumption model.
Frequently asked questions
No. Only plastic bottles and beverage cans of less than 3 litres covered by the SDR.
Only packaging purchased with a deposit and marked with the Volta symbol is eligible for a refund.
The packaging may be rejected if it is damaged, misshapen, contains residue, lacks the Volta symbol, or has an illegible barcode. In these cases, the deposit is not refunded.