European Deposit Refund Program Shines as a Paragon of Efficiency and Sustainability: RETURO Contributes to a Greener Tomorrow in the EU Dialogue
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Romania is leading the charge in sustainability, thanks to its innovative Deposit Return System (DRS) spearheaded by RetuRO, the company driving the nation's circular economy project. During the Packaging Waste & Sustainability Forum 2025 (one of Europe's most significant events on packaging sustainability) Gemma Webb, RetuRO's CEO and Chair of the Board of Directors, shared the DRS's first-year performance and future objectives.
The conference brought together industry leaders, policymakers, and international experts to discuss critical topics such as public policies, production processes, materials used, and waste management from a circular economy perspective.
In her captivating speech, Gemma Webb revealed how Romania built a system from the ground up and transformed it into an efficiency and collaboration model, earning it attention in European discussions on circular economy.
RetuRO's participation in this year's forum further underscores Romania's presence on the map of Europe's sustainable initiatives.
Gemma Web commented, "Attending such events is recognition of the hard work we put in during our first year of operation. It confirms Romania's progress toward a circular economy, and as members states, we have much to learn from each other in our efforts to create seamless and harmonious systems."
From Birth to Impressive Results in Just One Year
After only a year of operation, RetuRO announced impressive results: almost 3.5 billion collected packaging units, 93% of collected packaging already recycled, and an average collection rate exceeding 80% for the past seven months.
At the forum, Gemma Web remarked, "The system is a success. We became operational after just one year of preparation with no infrastructure, equipment, or initial resources. It was a challenge, but once the system took shape and stabilized, we consistently collected over 80% of the packaging marketed across all three material categories — plastic, metal, and glass. Pollution decreased immediately, making this one of the system's greatest victories."
A Sophisticated System, Tailored to Local Circumstances
Implementing the DRS efficiently within Romania's diverse economic and social landscape wasn't without obstacles. To establish a national logistics infrastructure from scratch, inform the public, and mobilize retailers and producers, Romania faced challenges such as the lack of recycling culture, reluctance among small retailers, confusion between DRS and non-DRS containers, and the need to adapt logistics within an expanding system.
Gemma Web emphasized during her speech that "the complexity of Romania's DRS is one of its defining aspects. We're addressing approximately 80,000 retailers, 4,000 producers and importers, and a population of 19 million people. A crucial factor facilitating implementation was a well-defined legislative framework, ensuring retailers participate in the system, forming a strong foundation for the ecosystem's smooth operation."
Romania Becomes an Example of Best Practices
The new European packaging legislation, known as the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), sets ambitious targets: plastic beverage bottles must contain at least 30% recycled materials by 2030, and all packaging must be widely recyclable by 2035. In this context, Romania is propelling itself toward a circular economy, offering a model for other states, thanks to the obstacles it has overcome and the lessons learned.
Gemma Web further explained during the event, "If we consider Romania as a case study, it's clear the DRS positively impacts recycling rates. In 2022, overall recycling in Romania was around 13%, and for packaging, just below 40%. After just one year of implementing the system, these figures have skyrocketed, reaching over 80%. So the system is succeeding. However, we are still learning and optimizing."
A Cultural Shift: Romanians Embrace Recycling
According to RetuRO-funded surveys, 98% of Romanians are already aware of the DRS, and 9 out of 10 have used it at least once. Furthermore, 87% of citizens believe the system directly contributes to reducing abandoned packaging in nature.
One year after the DRS launch, Romania has demonstrated that significant progress in packaging waste management is possible, even in challenging situations. RetuRO continues to play a crucial role in this transformation, not only as the system administrator but also as an advocate for the circular economy.
Gemma Web added, "Attending this forum is not just about sharing what we have accomplished in Romania; it's also about recognizing our DRS implementation model as relevant at the European level. It's an opportunity to actively contribute to the dialogue on the sustainable future of packaging in the EU."
The year 2025 brings new goals for RetuRO. Two regional counting and sorting centers for DRS packaging will open soon, while optimization efforts will focus on accelerating the registration of small retailers and improving accessibility in rural areas.
Disclaimer: This content is sponsored.
- TheDeposit Return System (DRS) in Romania, spearheaded by RetuRO, has demonstrated success in its first year, recycling 93% of collected packaging and achieving an average collection rate of over 80% for three material categories – plastic, metal, and glass.
- Despite the complexities of implementing the DRS in Romania's diverse economic and social landscape, the system's introduction has been facilitated by a well-defined legislative framework, ensuring active participation from retailers and laying a strong foundation for the ecosystem's smooth operation.
- As Romania continues to optimize its DRS, the nation is becoming a beacon for best practices within the European Union, demonstrating how packaging waste management can be significantly improved, even in challenging circumstances.
- The cultural shift towards recycling in Romania is evident, with 98% of Romanians aware of the DRS and 87% believing it directly contributes to reducing abandoned packaging in nature. Furthermore, RetuRO, as a key player in Romania's sustainable initiatives, continues to advocate for a circular economy throughout Europe.
