Romania inaugurates 'world's largest' deposit return system

Romania has introduced the "world's largest" centralised deposit return system (DRS), boasting nearly 80,000 collection points.

The system, officially inaugurated yesterday (November 30, 2023), aims to increase the collection and recycling rates of single-use beverage containers, covering plastic, glass, and metal containers ranging from 0.1 to 3 litres.

Key Points:

• Sensoneo's software powers the Romanian DRS, acting as the backbone by integrating stakeholders and collecting data from across the process chain.
• The DRS will have a deposit of 0.5 Romanian lei (approximately €0.1) per bottle.
• All legal entities involved in the production, import, or sale of single-use beverage containers are obligated to participate.
• Operated by RetuRO, a consortium of private entities and minimal public participation, the system is expected to manage around seven billion beverage containers annually.
• Sensoneo's DRS system, which operates in five European countries, including Slovakia, Malta, Ireland, and Hungary, has played a crucial role in achieving high recycling rates.

The launch positions Romania among the 13 EU countries implementing DRS to enhance recycling practices for a sustainable future.