Lisbon, Sept. 15, 2026 (Lusa) - Most Portuguese people who took part in a study published on Wednesday say they are deeply concerned about the environmental impact of their consumer choices, but they don't always act on it.

The study, carried out by the «Observatório da Sociedade Portuguesa» research unit at the Catholic University, indicates that almost 80% of respondents consider it important that the products they use benefit the environment, and 70% say they try to buy environmentally responsible products.

According to the report, almost 83% of respondents said they were familiar with the Volta system (a deposit-refund scheme), but only 36.4% say they use it frequently or always, whilst 35.5% say they do not use it.

The analysis of behaviour in sustainable consumption and the circular economy finds that 60% of respondents acknowledge that environmental impact influences their purchasing decisions, with an even higher proportion stating that they prefer products that protect the environment.

Regarding the Volta system, although awareness outpaces usage, the researchers' analysis reveals a positive indicator, according to a press release on the study: a strong and statistically significant positive correlation exists between previous use of the Volta system and the intention to use it again in the future.

The approximately 1,000 participants in the study who have used the system tend to show a greater intention to do so again.

Quoted in the press release, João Pedro Paz, a researcher at the Catholic University and one of the study's authors, stated that «the results show that there is a clear willingness amongst the Portuguese respondents to incorporate environmental concerns into their consumption decisions. However, the existence of this concern does not, in itself, mean that sustainable behaviours are already firmly established».

FP/ADB // ADB.

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