Coinciding with the launch of Portugal’s national deposit return scheme (DRS) in April 2026, Lidl Portugal has introduced an innovative, fully digital solution to the market. The retailer has integrated the bottle and can return and refund process directly into its widely used Lidl Plus loyalty program. The initiative aims to simplify the everyday practice of the circular economy, maximize customer convenience, and gradually phase out paper-based receipts. The new system operates with €0.10 deposits and offers instant, flexible crediting via smartphones.
A New Feature in the Loyalty Program: “Os meus depósitos”
Using traditional reverse vending machines (RVMs) that issue paper vouchers can often be inconvenient for shoppers due to lost, misplaced, or faded receipts. To eliminate this friction, Lidl Portugal has developed a centralized digital tool called “Os meus depósitos” (My Deposits), which is housed directly within the free-to-download Lidl Plus app.
The process has been designed to be incredibly fast and seamless for users. When standing in front of the reverse vending machine, the customer simply needs to open the Lidl Plus app, scan the QR code displayed on the machine, and then insert their eligible, empty PET bottles or metal cans. For every single packaging item registered by the machine, the €0.10 (10 cent) deposit is instantly credited in digital format to the shopper’s personal account.
Maximum Freedom of Choice in Refund Methods
Although the system is heavily focused on digitalization, Lidl Portugal placed a strong emphasis on ensuring that customers retain complete freedom of choice regarding how they utilize their accumulated deposit funds. The system offers the following four options:
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Digital Discount: Users can easily apply their recorded balance as a discount on their next purchase by simply scanning their digital card at the checkout.
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Cash Payout: Customers who prefer not to use the amount as a store credit can request the value of their returned deposits in cash at the registers.
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Social Donation (Doação social): Shoppers also have the option to donate their deposit amounts to charity, supporting social institutions partnered with the system.
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Traditional Paper Receipt: Despite the digital transition, customers who do not use the feature or do not own a smartphone can still opt for a physical voucher printed by the machine. These paper coupons remain valid for use in the chain’s stores for up to one year from the date of issue.
European Experience and a Smooth Market Transition
This digital return system and its underlying logistics are not an unprecedented trial run for the company. Lidl is relying on extensive experience and best practices gathered in other European countries where deposit return schemes have been operational for years. As a result, they were able to launch a mature system in Portugal, supported by high-performance machines and properly trained staff, ensuring stable real-world operation rather than just a theoretical concept.
During the rollout of the national system (managed by SDR Portugal) in April 2026, both regulators and retail chains were careful to avoid unnecessary waste. According to Lidl, to guarantee a sustainable and gradual transition—and to prevent the unjustified destruction of already manufactured packaging—old products without deposit markings and new, returnable packaging will naturally coexist on store shelves until early August.
Corporate Strategy: Making Sustainability an Easy Choice
Luis Alcalde, Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) of Lidl Portugal, clarified the company’s strategic goals regarding this development: “At Lidl, customer convenience is at the center of all our decisions. By integrating the deposit system into our app, we are not only promoting the practice of the circular economy, but we are making it simple, digital, and frictionless. We want sustainability to be an easy and beneficial choice for everyone who visits us.”
The enhancement of the Lidl Plus app aligns perfectly with the retail chain’s broader ambition to consolidate all services—from digital receipts and loyalty coupons to social responsibility donations—into a single, eco-friendly, and highly convenient digital space.
References and Sources:
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Primary News Portal Source: The Portugal News – Lidl Portugal makes recycling easier with new digital refund system
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Supplementary Industry Source detailing app features: Grande Consumo – Lidl Portugal digitizes packaging refund system