tomra reuse city solution pilot

Lisbon, Portugal

TOMRA, together with Lisbon City Council and AHRESP, is implementing a circular system for reusable cold drink cups in Lisbon’s busiest hospitality and entertainment districts.

The system provides a robust and convenient infrastructure to collect reusable cups. Instead of throwing away your cup after use, you can return it to the nearest machine and get the refund straight into your bank account - simply by tapping your bank card or phone.

The first return machine locations were installed starting in November 2025. When all installations are completed, there will be at least 17 automated return points available in central Lisbon. More information about the  program can also be found on our dedicated CopoMais website.

CopoMais return location in Lisbon

How the system works

System step by step graphic

Buy a drink at a participating location

When you buy a drink at one of the program's participating locations, it will be served in the program's reusable cup.

Enjoy your drink!

The purchase price will include a 0.50 euro cent deposit which can be redeemed at a nearby return machine.

Pouring of a drink in a CopoMais reusable cup
Two men in Lisbon enjoying a drink in a CopoMais reusable cup

Take your empty cup to a return machine

When you are finished with your cup, you can return it at one of our nearby return machines (if you don't know where the nearest machine is you can scan the QR code on the cup to see a map of return locations). Once you are at the return machine just tap your bankcard or smartphone on the reader.

Return your cup

After your bank card has been identified you can then insert your cup into the machine. The deposit refund on the cup will then be transferred to your bank card. Depending on your bank, the transaction can take up to 2-3 business days.

Registration of bank card to receive deposit refund at CopoMais machine
Returning empty CopoMais reusable cup at machine

The collected cups are picked up at the machine by TOMRA and taken to a professional sanitization facility where they are washed and quality assured. Damaged cups are sorted out and recycled. Clean cups are then reassigned with the deposit value and made ready for shipment back to the serving establishments.