After several postponements, Portugal is finally preparing to implement the Deposit and Return Scheme (DRS) for single-use beverage containers, in compliance with European obligations on waste management and the circular economy. The system will enter into force on 10 April 2026 and will initially cover plastic bottles and metal beverage cans.
In practical terms, whenever a consumer purchases a beverage in one of these containers, a deposit amount (estimated at around ten cents) will be charged. This amount will be refunded when the empty container is returned to an authorised collection point. To support this operation, a nationwide network of approximately 2,500 reverse-vending machines and 12,500 manual collection points will be installed, mainly in hypermarkets and supermarkets.
From the perspective of commercial operators, large hypermarkets and supermarkets will be required to accept all containers covered by the scheme, regardless of whether they were purchased at that specific establishment. Shops with a sales area between 50 m² and 400 m² will only be obliged to accept the containers that they sell. Smaller establishments will be exempt, although they may choose to participate in the DRS on a voluntary basis.
The objectives are ambitious: to achieve a collection rate of approximately 70% by 2026 and to reach 90% by 2029 for plastic bottles and metal cans. These targets align Portugal with European benchmarks and represent a structural change in the way packaging is managed after consumption.
The refund of the deposit may be made through several channels, including cash, shopping vouchers, direct discounts, digital transfers, or donation to charitable organisations. Refund vouchers or return receipts must have a minimum validity of 12 months.
In parallel, the Government has announced that it is negotiating new solutions to replace plastic bags used for fruit and vegetable sales, namely through reusable mesh or fabric bags, further reinforcing the strategy to reduce single-use plastics.
Entry into force of the DRS
The Deposit and Return Scheme is regulated by Decree-Law No. 24/2024, which establishes the operation of the system and its implementation timetable, and is complemented by Law No. 69/2018, which enshrines the obligation to create deposit and return mechanisms for packaging. The date of 10 April 2026 has been officially announced by the Government as the operational start date of the DRS, in accordance with the implementation plan currently defined for Portugal.
Belzuz Abogados, S.L.P. – Portuguese Branch is an international law firm with offices in Lisbon and Madrid, with multidisciplinary teams in environmental, regulatory, commercial and tax law. The firm is fully equipped to advise companies and economic operators on the implementation of the Deposit and Return Scheme, compliance with the associated legal obligations, and the adaptation of internal processes, contracts, logistics and consumer communications, ensuring an efficient transition in full compliance with applicable legislation.