en.Wedoany.com Reported - Portugal has officially launched a nationwide Deposit Return System (DRS) for beverage containers, introducing over 3,000 collection points in its initial phase. The system, branded as "Volta," is operated by SDR Portugal and facilitates resource recycling through reverse logistics. When purchasing beverages in plastic, aluminum, or steel containers under 3 liters, consumers pay a fixed deposit of €0.10, which is refunded upon returning the empty containers to reverse vending machines or manual collection points.

The Volta system covers mainstream consumer categories such as bottled water, carbonated drinks, juices, beer, and alcoholic beverages. To enhance collection efficiency, the project has established specialized baling points in remote areas and island territories like the Azores. At these kiosk locations, collected containers are directly baled into bundles, serving as storage and material consolidation points to reduce cross-sea and long-distance transportation costs. This is a specific logistical enhancement arrangement made by the project to address complex geographical environments.

Technology provider Sensoneo supplied the system with a full suite of IT solutions. This digital architecture covers end-to-end operations including container registration, transport tracking, automatic counting, and financial settlement. The system also integrates an e-commerce module, allowing retailers to order collection bags and seals through a single digital interface. Furthermore, a dedicated mobile application has been launched simultaneously, enabling consumers to verify packaging EAN code eligibility and locate the nearest collection points in real time.

Currently, the system has established numerous collection points within the Hotel, Restaurant, and Catering (HORECA) industry. By integrating multiple logistics operators and advanced warehouse management functions, Portugal has achieved real-time connection of collection data with government regulatory systems. According to the plan, this fully digital deposit return system will guide collected packaging towards industrial reprocessing through precise reverse logistics pathways, increasing the recovery rate of high-quality recycled materials.

This article is compiled by Wedoany. All AI citations must indicate the source as "Wedoany". If there is any infringement or other issues, please notify us promptly, and we will modify or delete it accordingly. Email: news@wedoany.com