Vending

Volta expands Portugal’s bottle return network with high-capacity kiosks

Image courtesy SDR Portugal

September 8, 2026

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SDR Portugal is expanding its Volta beverage-container collection network with high-capacity kiosks designed to serve restaurants, cafes, hotels and other hospitality businesses, according to a press release. Six kiosks are operating in Albufeira, Barcelos, Cascais, Funchal, Ponta Delgada and Vila Nova de Famalicao, while six additional installations are planned in Almada, Aveiro, Mafra, Oeiras, Portimao and Vila do Conde.

The kiosks allow users to return large quantities of eligible beverage containers at once, processing about 120 items per minute. Each qualifying container carries a deposit of 10 euro cents, which users can recover through the Volta mobile app and transfer to a linked bank account. Customers may also donate their refunds to participating charities, and reimbursement support through the MB Way payment service is planned.

Volta kiosks supplement the automated return machines available at supermarkets and hypermarkets, and the network has grown from approximately 2,500 locations to more than 3,000. SDR Portugal said it ultimately plans to establish 50 kiosks nationwide, working with municipalities to place them in public areas near concentrations of restaurants and other high-volume businesses.