The Deposit and Refund System (SDR), known as Volta, which came into effect in April, allows consumers to get back the 10 cents deposit paid when purchasing single-use packaging. The law, amended by Decree-Law No. 24/2024, clarifies that the refund can be in cash.
According to Article 30.º-F of the decree, the option for a cash refund cannot be withdrawn or conditioned by collection points. For automatic machines, refunds can be made through dematerialized payment methods, donations, or a voucher that can be exchanged for cash, shopping vouchers, or other activities.
DIÁRIO conducted tests in two major supermarkets in Funchal, where it was possible, after depositing packaging into the machine and issuing a voucher, to exchange this for physical cash at the support desks, confirming the application of the law.
