Romania inaugurates 'world's largest' deposit return system

Romania inaugurates 'world's largest' deposit return system

Sustainability

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.
Reverse vending machine credit Lars Plougmann
Reverse vending machine © Lars Plougmann (CC BY-SA 2.0)

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

Latest Packaging News

Shaping sustainable beauty at Packaging Innovations & Empack 2025
Events

Shaping sustainable beauty at Packaging Innovations & Empack 2025

Sussex-born Victoria Brownlie MBE, Chief of Policy & Sustainability at the British Beauty...
Carlton Packaging attends PACK EXPO International
Supplier News

Carlton Packaging attends PACK EXPO International

We’re thrilled to have attended PACK EXPO Chicago 2024, where we showcased our latest innovations...
YPS: Packing problem solved with fast delivery of new equipment
Supplier News

YPS: Packing problem solved with fast delivery of new equipment

Imagine dealing with a key item of packaging equipment going down. One well-known fitted kitchen...
WWF calls for strong action on global plastic pollution treaty at INC-5
Sustainability

WWF calls for strong action on global plastic pollution treaty at INC-5

As the world grapples with the mounting challenges of environmental degradation, WWF has emphasised...
Promising outcomes for “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” initiative in Stockholm Royal Seaport
Sustainability

Promising outcomes for “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” initiative in Stockholm Royal Seaport

The Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – Stockholm Royal Seaport project has reported significant progress in...