Customers at the Pingo Doce supermarket in Madeira are facing recurring frustration with the 'Volta System' machines, intended for package deposit and refund.
The system, which requires a 10-cent charge for plastic cans/bottles and 20 cents for 1-liter glass bottles, becomes inoperable when machines are full and not emptied promptly. The Empresa de Cervejas da Madeira (ECM) is responsible for collection, but logistical failures result in full machines, preventing consumers from reclaiming their deposit.
Supermarkets are legally obligated to accept package returns and issue refunds, even if the machine is full. In such cases, customers should go to the customer service desk to request a manual collection. Refusal to accept packages or issue refunds can lead to requesting the Complaints Book and reporting to ARAE.
