The bottle and can return system has been available in Portugal since 10 April, but do you know how to use it?

Finding the right item

First, people need to check for the “Volta” logo, which might be near the barcode. If the logo is present, it means the bottle or can is eligible for a 10-cent refund.

Ready for recycling

After collecting the bottles or cans, head to the nearest supermarket with a Volta machine. It is possible to check online where those machines are placed, avoiding unnecessary travel. The machine will not always be inside the supermarket; it may be located in the store's parking lot.

Get to know the machine

Once the machine is found, it is time to understand it – spoiler alert: it is a very simple procedure.

People must start by selecting the language and the bottles or cans, which just need to be placed in the right place. The barcode must face up to let the machine know it is a Volta bottle being recycled. Once one is put in, all the others must be placed right away, as taking a little longer will cause the machine to close the process, leading the person to repeat it if there are more items to recycle.

Receive the money back

Once everything is in place, it is possible to choose among different options. A donation to charity is available, and you will also receive a receipt for the refund. With the receipt, people have to choose.

The receipt is valid for a year and can be used to discount the purchase price at the supermarket where the recycling was done. The same receipt is also eligible for a money refund; to receive that, people just need to go to the supermarket reception.

Some supermarkets also allow the refund money to be transferred to the supermarket's loyalty card, accumulating the money there.