Left Bloc wants unclaimed Volta deposits to fund environment, councils

The Left Bloc (BE) has submitted a parliamentary resolution proposing that unclaimed deposits from the Volta bottle deposit-return scheme go to the Environmental Fund and to municipal waste management bodies, rather than remaining with scheme operator SDR Portugal. BE argues the system is funded partly by consumers, contradicting the government's claim it relies solely on producer responsibility. The party also wants the 70% minimum collection target restored for 2026, greater transparency including public disclosure of the operator's licence and accounts, extension of deposit-return to glass packaging, and full producer funding of packaging waste management costs.