Digital DRS : Portugal's deposit return system: A circular economy milestone for Southern Europe

On 10 April 2026, Portugal will officially launch Volta, its national Deposit Return System (DRS) for single-use beverage containers. Operated by SDR Portugal: Associação de Embaladores, the scheme applies to plastic bottles, aluminium and steel cans of less than three litres, with a deposit value of €0.10 per container. Portugal joins a growing number of European nations deploying DRS as a cornerstone of their circular economy strategy, but its launch carries particular significance: it is the first continental Southern European country to implement such a system at a national scale, following Malta's launch in 2022.

The digital backbone of the system is provided by Sensoneo, whose IT platform supports the full operational lifecycle — from container registration and collection through to reverse logistics and financial clearing.

Consumers reclaim their deposit by returning empty containers through reverse vending machines or manual take-back points. The nationwide collection network spans more than 3,000 locations, with a notably strong presence in the hospitality sector — a feature that is expected to drive rapid adoption across the country.

Portugal's geography has also shaped the system's design in distinctive ways. Remote and island regions, including the Azores and Madeira, presented specific logistical challenges. In island territories, certain return locations simultaneously serve as storage and material consolidation points, with collected containers baled directly on site to reduce transport costs and complexity.

From launch, the system also incorporates a social dimension: consumers can donate their deposit refund to charitable causes. Charity participation is managed by retailers and SDR Portugal, giving flexibility in the selection of organisations and broadening community involvement.

Running a nationwide DRS requires sophisticated technology, and Portugal's system is no exception. Sensoneo's platform integrates across multiple logistics operators, incorporates advanced warehouse management functionality, and connects with government systems to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements for waste transport documentation.

Several dedicated mobile applications support operational efficiency across the full range of stakeholders — consumers, retailers, drivers and warehouse operators alike. A consumer-facing app enables users to verify container eligibility, locate nearby return points, and review the criteria for returning packaging. An integrated e-commerce module also allows collection points and retailers to order consumables such as bags and seals through a single digital interface.

Pedro Lago, Director of Information Systems and Business Development at SDR Portugal, described the ambition behind the design: "Portugal's Deposit Return System for beverage packaging is built on the principles of Convenience and Simplicity for consumers, as well as Transparency and Efficiency for all entities involved in the system, namely producers, distributors, HORECA establishments, logistics operators, industrial partners, RVM suppliers, and social institutions. To ensure these principles, we have developed a system with high levels of security, fully digital (including the digital signing of thousands of contracts), and with decision-making processes based on accurate, reliable, and real-time information. From a technological perspective, Sensoneo has been SDR Portugal's main partner throughout this journey. We rely on its experience, expertise, and customer-oriented approach in implementing what we believe to be one of the most sophisticated and advanced deposit return systems in the world."

For Sensoneo, Portugal represents the ninth country in which the company now operates end-to-end DRS infrastructure, with its systems collectively serving more than 165 million people worldwide. The company has previously delivered schemes in Ireland, Romania and Austria, and has achieved recycling performance exceeding 90% across its deployments.

Martin Basila, Sensoneo CEO, reflected on what Portugal's launch represents: "Portugal is the first Southern European country to deploy a nationwide deposit return system, positioning itself as a pioneer and a strong role model for other countries in the region. The system brings a unique level of complexity, particularly due to its island territories and the significant role of the HoReCa sector. It is an honour for us to support Portugal as a technology partner on its journey towards a circular economy. The implementation has been driven by a strong spirit of partnership, a clear strategic vision, and a shared commitment to delivering a high-quality, future-proof solution. We believe the system will contribute significantly to increasing the collection rate of high-quality recyclable beverage packaging."

Beyond its immediate environmental impact, the scheme is expected to create more than 1,500 direct and indirect jobs, reduce littering by up to 40%, and help Portugal meet its European recycling targets. For a region that has lagged behind Northern Europe in DRS adoption, Volta may prove to be the catalyst for wider change.