What Is Volta?

The Volta system is Portugal’s national Deposit Return System (DRS), designed to promote a circular economy by rewarding consumers for recycling single-use beverage containers. Its marketing centres on the slogan "O futuro tem V de volta" (The future has a 'V' of return).

But, does it really reward consumers - or does it penalise them unnecessarily? 

Where It Works Well

Collecting the deposit requires no additional queuing action by the consumer - you buy, you pay. You may not even know you've paid

This debiting requires no additional time delay during the sale

The involuntary collection of funds encourages return of containers by the consumer

Where It Fails

Debiting does not require containers to be in returnable condition

Refunds are dependent upon multiple consumer actions

Containers must be kept in pristine condition

Consumers may need to queue to use Volta machines

Consumers may find Volta machines out of service

Consumers will need to allot about 5 seconds per vessel. A flat of 24 tins could take 2 minutes

Volta machines may jam or refer the consumer to consult store staff before issuing a receipt

With the receipt, customers wanting cash may need to wait for store staff to issue a refund

There is no facility for returning damaged containers

The App does not provide realtime advice about out of service machines

What To Do About It

If you are a purchaser who believes a protest against the Volta system will help protect the rights of the consumer, please consider these options - 

Join the Facebook Group VoltaRevolta
Share your opinions and observations about your experience with Volta

Sign the online petition against the continuation of Volta at Petição Pública
Join with the appeal to the Portuguese Parliament to reconsider the implementation of Volta

Sharing these information sources with friends will help keep the campaign active

What Else Can You Do?

When you find Volta machines that do not work, when you find refund infrastructures that impose impediments to collecting your money, when you feel Volta just isn't working, don't be silent. 

Contact Volta directly, using either their Online Contact Form, or call their Support Service by calling 210 195 116 , on weekdays, between 9:00 am and 6:00 pm

You can also familiarise yourself with an insight to the working of Volta by visiting their Support Service webpage.  This exists for the operators, not the consumers.