The manager of the 'Volta' packaging return system has presented a 14-point plan to the Minister of Environment, focusing on integrating the system with municipal waste management and encouraging the installation of collection kiosks for the hospitality sector. The scheme has reached a milestone of 500 million containers returned since its inception.
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Read today’s briefingThe manager of the Volta deposit and refund system, SDR Portugal, has stated it may finance costs related to the collection of its packaging that are currently borne by municipalities. Meanwhile, Lisbon continues to demand the end of the system and has yet to install the six collection kiosks originally planned for the city.
The government has given the company SDR Portugal until October 16, 2026, to present immediate measures, coordinated with local municipalities, to resolve ongoing urban sanitation and waste management issues.
The president of the Portuguese Episcopal Conference (CEP) criticized the lack of political consensus regarding the housing crisis, highlighting that current policy discussions on rent increases and evictions may have immediate, devastating effects on families. Meanwhile, the Church is considering making its own vacant assets, such as parish residences and seminaries, available for affordable housing.