SDR Portugal has installed a new high-capacity recycling kiosk in Cascais, capable of processing 120 containers per minute and automatically issuing refunds. This is the eighth such kiosk in a network currently spanning eight municipalities, with plans to expand to 50 locations across 38 municipalities.
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The hotel and restaurant association (AHRESP) is seeking improvements to the Volta deposit-return system, citing operational difficulties with container collection. Challenges include a lack of bulk-collection kiosks, strict minimum-volume requirements for direct collection (four 240-litre bags), and heavy administrative burdens from app-based registration and deposit-recovery delays.
The government is launching a new incentive on December 1, 2026, offering discounts of up to 35 euros on the purchase of new home appliances. Additionally, the environmental association Zero is proposing a deposit-refund system for 'fast tech' (small electronics) to encourage recycling.
The Minister of Environment and Energy requested a plan by October 16 to address urban waste issues caused by people scavenging for returnable containers, which carry a 10-cent deposit. The manager of the Volta system, SDR Portugal, stated it lacks the legal mandate to intervene in public spaces and emphasized that cleaning responsibilities and kiosk installations remain dependent on municipal cooperation.