Portugal recently implemented a mechanism that already exists in other European countries: the Deposit Return System (DRS), known as "Volta".

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According to Quercus, this system covers around 2.1 billion single-use beverage containers consumed annually in the country — PET plastic bottles and metal cans up to 3 litres, with a refundable deposit of 10 cents per container.

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For those working in hospitality, the key question is: what does the Volta system actually mean for my hotel?

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The HORECA channel is at the heart of the Volta system

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According to data cited in Jornal Público, in small retail, restaurants and hotels alone there are around 92,000 points of sale for beverages covered by the system, in a country that welcomed almost 29 million tourists in 2025. The HORECA channel has been identified as one of the biggest operational challenges of the Volta system.

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The rules for the HORECA channel depend on the type of consumption.

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If the drink is consumed on the premises — which is the case in the vast majority of hotel settings — the deposit is not charged to the guest, but the establishment is responsible for storing the containers and delivering them to collection points.

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If the drink is taken away, the deposit is charged at the point of purchase and the responsibility for returning it passes to the customer. In either case, according to SDR Portugal, HORECA establishments are only required to accept containers that they have sold.

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Pool bars and leisure outlets: the most underestimated impact

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Outdoor leisure outlets such as pool bars, beach clubs, terraces and private events are among the largest consumers of cans and plastic bottles in a hotel. These are precisely the containers covered by the Volta system, and they are also the spaces where managing them is most complex.

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In a restaurant, the guest finishes their meal at the table and the team clears up. At a pool bar, a can might end up on a sun lounger, at the water's edge, or left on the counter for hours. The volume is high, the space is spread out, and the team is often juggling multiple priorities at once.

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There are three practical aspects to consider in these spaces:

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- Dedicated collection points: clearly identified containers near consumption areas, not just at the entrance or exit of the space.

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- F&B team briefings: staff who know what the Volta system is, what it covers, and how to answer when a guest asks.

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- Guest communication: a message or visual element near the bar is enough to guide guests without disrupting the experience.

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These outlets are also, in many cases, the most visible face of the hotel in terms of environmental responsibility. Plastic and cans piling up at a private pool or beach contradict any sustainability narrative, regardless of the certifications the hotel may hold.

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Glass was left out of the Volta system - at least for now

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The most obvious limitation of the system is the complete exclusion of glass, a highly recyclable and infinitely reusable material, whose collection rates remain stagnant in Portugal.

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Quercus advocates for the return of returnable deposits as a way to encourage reuse, noting that countries such as Germany, Denmark, Finland and Croatia already include glass in similar systems. The decision to exclude glass from Volta is subject to review in 2027.

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For the hospitality sector, which serves wine, water and other drinks in glass bottles every day, this is a topic worth watching closely.

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What hotels can do now with the Volta system

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The Volta system does not require an overnight reinvention of hotel operations. But it is a clear signal of the direction regulation is heading.

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Some concrete steps:

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1) Review the minibar and F&B offer

‍Which containers carry the Volta symbol?
Do staff know how to identify it and explain it?

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2) Adapt leisure outlets

‍Set up collection points in outdoor spaces, integrated into the space's design, and include the topic in summer team onboarding.

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3) Communicate with guests

‍International tourists are likely unfamiliar with the system. A note in the room, on the menu or at the bar can turn a moment of confusion into a positive point of difference.

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4) Get ahead of glass

‍Investing now in suppliers with lower environmental footprint alternatives positions the hotel ahead of regulation and aligns with guests' growing expectations around hotel sustainability.

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It is relatively easy to place a card in the bathroom asking guests to reuse their towels. It is more demanding — and more meaningful — to integrate sustainability practices into the hotel's actual operations. The Volta system is a concrete starting point with measurable impact: the national target, according to Quercus, is to achieve 90% container collection by 2029.

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Today's guest, especially the international traveller, notices the difference between a hotel that merely talks about sustainability and one that implements effective measures to achieve it. A single can collected at a pool bar will not change the world — but a well-implemented system, communicated clearly and aligned across teams, will. And it starts right here.

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Host can help

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Managing these operational changes is simpler with the right tools. If you want to understand how your hotel can adapt its processes and make the most of Host's solutions, get in touch.

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