Portugal's packaging deposit and refund system collected over 300 million cans and bottles in the first five months of operation. The number represents a significant milestone for the initiative that aims to reduce packaging waste and promote recycling in the country.
Participation in the system has been growing consistently since its implementation. More consumers and commercial establishments have joined the initiative, contributing to the increase in collected volumes.
The deposit and refund model works by adding a value to the purchase price of packaging, which is returned to the consumer when they return the container at a collection point. This mechanism aims to encourage the return of materials for recycling.
The success of the initiative in Portugal contrasts with similar experiences in other European countries, where analogous systems have already proven effective in reducing packaging waste in the environment and increasing recycling rates.
