Regulatory & Policy July 27, 2026
Two live deposit return systems published performance data this month. Romania's RetuRO reported more than 2.4 billion containers returned in the first half of 2026, an 82 percent return rate, up three points year on year, with coverage now reaching 92 percent of localities above 1,500 inhabitants. Portugal's Volta, live since April 10, 2026, passed 100 million containers returned and an estimated 38 percent collection rate by the end of July, running more than 2,500 automated collection points. Both figures matter as benchmarks for the member states that must stand up a system by January 1, 2029 under Article 50. Source: RetuRO H1 2026 barometer, July 27, 2026; SDR Portugal, July 21, 2026 [SIGNALED].
This entry is part of the PPWR Atlas update log. The Atlas is re-checked against the Official Journal, Commission guidance, and each national PRO's published schedule, and everything that changes gets logged with its source. See the week of July 27, 2026 or the full update archive.