Portugal to introduce national deposit return scheme by 2026

Portugal will roll out a nationwide Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for single-use beverage containers in 2026, signalling a major development for sustainability efforts in Southern Europe. The scheme will be managed by SDR Portugal, with IT services provided by Sensoneo, a company already experienced in supporting similar initiatives across Europe.

This move makes Portugal the first mainland Southern European country to adopt a full-scale DRS, following Malta’s earlier implementation in 2022. While Malta was the first in the Mediterranean to launch such a programme, Portugal’s larger scale and geographic position are expected to set an example for other regional countries, including Spain, France, and Italy.

A notable feature of Portugal’s upcoming DRS is the planned involvement of the hospitality sector, including hotels, restaurants and catering services (HoReCa). Drawing on experience from the Maltese scheme, Sensoneo will work to ensure the effective inclusion of these venues, aiming to boost collection rates and support wider system efficiency.

Pedro Lago, IT Business Development and IT Director from SDR Portugal, said: The first milestones achieved in this project have shown that we are on the right track for a smooth, yet rigorous and demanding, implementation. We still have a lot of hard work ahead of us, but I am confident that, thanks to strategic partners like Sensoneo, Portugal will have a well-functioning, trustworthy and advanced Deposit Return Scheme.

Estimates suggest that between 7,000 and 10,000 collection points will be established across the country, providing accessible return options for consumers. With infrastructure and demographics similar to other European countries already operating DRS systems, Portugal’s implementation is viewed as a key step toward improving recycling rates and reducing waste.