Portugal demands action plan from SDR Portugal to address waste issues

The Portuguese Ministry of Environment and Energy has demanded that SDR Portugal, the management entity for the Volta deposit and reimbursement system, present a concrete action plan by October 16. The demand follows increasing reports of urban cleaning issues in major cities like Lisbon and Porto, where containers are being ransacked and waste is being scattered by individuals searching for beverage containers to reclaim the 10-cent deposit.

In a letter to SDR Portugal Chairman Leonardo Mathias, Minister Maria da Graça Carvalho emphasized that the system must be compatible with urban hygiene and contribute to increased recycling without increasing litter. The Minister reminded the entity of its legal obligation to fully finance the urban cleaning costs associated with the system's packaging, including sweeping, beach cleaning, and waste transport. The required plan must include short, medium, and long-term measures, effectiveness indicators, and a review of best practices from other European countries.