CIRCULARITY
Across Europe , Deposit Return Systems ( DRS ) are playing a crucial role in building a circular economy for packaging . In Romania , a successful partnership with producers , retailers , the government and the operator RetuRO is delivering strong results .
A DRS allows consumers to buy a product with a deposit additional to the price and then , once it has been used , return the packaging to a collection point in exchange for their deposit back . From these collection points , the used packaging is sent to counting and sorting centres , then to recyclers where it is cleaned , then returned to the manufacturers to be re-used or re-purposed .
Launched in December 2023 , the DRS in Romania has recently marked its first full year in operation with some strong statistics :
• Seven counting and sorting centres across the country
• More than three billion containers returned in one year
• In October 2024 , 84 % of containers sold in the market were returned through the scheme .
• 200,000 tonnes of packaging recycled in one year
• 98 % of Romanians are aware of the DRS
• Six out of 10 Romanians regularly return packaging to collection points
The European Union has set key goals – to collect 77 % of PET by 2025 and 90 % by 2029 , and to recycle 75 % of glass and 60 % of aluminium from 2030 – which it hopes to achieve through DRS .
In Romania , DRS is managed by the national operator RetuRO , which comprises a consortium of private companies and the Romanian Ministry of Environment , Waters and Forests . Coca-Cola HBC joins this consortium through the industry association – Romanian Soft-Drinks Producers for Sustainability ( APBRS ). The Brewers for Environment Association represents the other producers as a shareholder from the industry , and they are joined by the Retailers for Environment association and the Romanian State via the Ministry of Environment .
What is the DRS ? “ The DRS is the largest circular economy project in Romania today ,” explains Gemma Webb , CEO and President of ReturRO .
“ The whole purpose of this project is to increase the recycling rates here in Romania .”
This massive undertaking involves nearly 80,000 collection points across the country , making it the most comprehensive integrated system of its kind globally .
Under the scheme , consumers pay a deposit of 0.5 Romanian Leu ( approximately US $ 0.10 ) for each eligible beverage container , which can be reclaimed upon returning the empty container to designated collection
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