The Minister made these statements to journalists in Strasbourg, after being questioned about the request from Carlos Moedas, Mayor of Lisbon, who asked the Government to end the Volta system, as reported by The Portugal News.

Maria da Graça Carvalho admits that the system had some problems during its initial phase; however, she assures that she has no intention of ending the program. The Minister also said the system is mandatory in Europe and has become a key instrument for plastic reuse.

To the journalists present, Maria da Graça Carvalho also stated that the target of 40% of bottles reimbursed has already been exceeded, and the goal was to reach that value by the end of the year.

Carlos Moedas argued that the system has created a social drama, while the Minister says that this drama is not related to Volta, which was implemented on 10 April. Maria da Graça Carvalho said the problem cited is linked to poverty and homelessness, with people seeking ways to earn income by returning packaging. The Minister also reinforces that the problem is visible in other European cities, which have adopted measures such as placing bottles subject to return in containers separate from the garbage.

Maria da Graça Carvalho admits to seeking solutions to be applied in order to prevent waste from spreading throughout the cities, as this is also one of the problems pointed out by Carlos Moedas.