The amount or volume of plastic packaging returned to stores since the beginning of 2025 has reportedly already exceeded the total recorded throughout the entirety of 2024.
This information was shared by the the administrator of the system, an non-profit named RetuRO Sistem Garantie Returnare SA.
In 2025, Romanians returned approximately 3.6 billion packaging units, and RetuRO delivered over 255,000 tonnes of materials – PET, aluminium, and glass – to recyclers.
In August alone, 605 million packaging units were collected.
“Since the launch of the system in November 2023, nearly 7 billion deposit-marked packaging units have been returned, with approximately 500,000 tonnes of material handed over to recyclers. With a collection rate of 81% in the first eight months of this year, the Deposit-Return System continues to support Romania’s transition to a circular economy, encouraging millions of Romanians to adopt environmentally responsible behaviours” the press release reads.
The non-profit in question was created by three private shareholders and one public shareholder: The Brewers of Romania Association for the Environment (30%), The Association of Soft Drink Producers for Sustainability (30%), The Retailers’ Association for the Environment (20%), and, last but not least, the Romanian state also has its share, represented by the Ministry of Environment, Waters and Forests (20%).
However, the administrator, RetuRO, is entirely privately funded.
Recycling targets are imposed by the European Union.
