Set to become operational from November 30th, 2023, coinciding with the official launch of the Deposit-Return System, the center will open a new chapter in how we approach beverage packaging in the future, fundamentally changing our consumption and recycling habits.

The regional center in Bonțida is the first of its kind to be opened by RetuRO. Located within the Olympian industrial park, the center covers an area of 4,700 square meters and is equipped with advanced counting and sorting equipment from Anker Andersen A/S, a market leader in the industry.

Through this center, as well as through the system it administers, RetuRO contributes to shaping a more sustainable future, where every person and every action counts in protecting the environment.

Gemma Webb, RetuRO CEO and President of the Executive Board, said that "this center, along with the others planned and with the approximately 80,000 return points across the country, will actively engage 19 million Romanians, thus building the most complex recycling infrastructure in the country."

"In close collaboration with all stakeholders involved, we aim to make recycling a daily habit, an integral part of the Romanian identity, to lead Romania towards a greener and more responsible future."

Representatives of the beverage production industry and retailers highlighted the crucial role of these sectors in initiating and supporting the DRS, demonstrating their commitment to a more sustainable future.

Julia Leferman, General Manager of the Romanian Brewers Association for the Environment, added that "with our new line of packaging labeled with the DRS logo, we are ready to make the transition to an efficient and integrated recycling system. This project represents not only a significant change for consumers and beverage producers in Romania, but also an example of good practice at European level."

Alice Nichita, President of the Association of Soft Drink Producers for Sustainability, mentions that "in 2024, market adjustments will pose a challenge, but we are determined to find solutions. Together, we are building a large and specific market, with the belief that we will bring significant and lasting changes in our community."

RetuRO was established by representative associations of beverage producers and retailers to manage the deposit return system, currently being implemented in Romania.

The company, as per Gemma Webb, was formed as a not-for-profit organization, which means that, through its constitutive act, it is committed to reinvest any potential profit exclusively in the development of the system.

The Association of Soft Drinks Producers for Sustainability (30%), the Brewers of Romania Association for the Environment (30%), the Association of Retailers for the Environment (20%) and the Romanian state, represented by the central environmental authority, holding 20% of the shares, are all four of RetuRO's shareholders.

Luiza Neag, President of the Retailers Association for the Environment, stated that "we have the responsibility and a unique opportunity to educate and motivate consumers to actively participate in the DRS. Through various tactics, incentives, and creative messages, we have successfully familiarized Romanians with these concepts and habits. With every customer brought to a collection machine, we have managed to eliminate at least one piece of waste from nature."

The future of circular economy in Romania

The Deposit-Return System is a circular economy project in which Romanians will pay a guarantee of 0.50 RON when they buy a drink (water, soft drinks, beer, cider, wine, spirits) from a retailer. The system applies to primary non-reusable packaging made of glass, plastic, or metal, with volumes ranging from 0.1 to 3 liters inclusive.

To be easily identified, the products that are part of the system will be marked with a specific logo.

After emptying the packaging, the customer will need to bring it to one of the return points organized by retailers. In exchange for the empty packaging, the customer will immediately receive back the value of the initially paid guarantee, without the need to present the fiscal receipt, even if the respective product was not purchased from that location.

These products, part of the DRS, will gradually reach store shelves, over a period of several months after the System's launch on November 30th, and can be identified by the „Packaging with guarantee” marking applied on the label. Therefore, RetuRO recommends all Romanians not to stockpile packaging before the launch of the DRS.

These will not be redeemable at the return points based on a guarantee because the sum of 50 bani was not paid when buying the product and are not marked with the logo that certifies that they are carriers of a guarantee.

Non-DRS packaging can still be returned through the classic selective collection method, used until now for the recovery of all types of packaging, at traditional collection points.

Returned packaging in stores will be sent to regional collection and sorting centers and then forwarded to recyclers.

RetuRO will not perform the actual recycling of the packaging. This process will continue to be the responsibility of recycling companies. These companies will be selected through best price tenders, which is, in fact, one of the main funding sources for DRS.

In total, there will be 17 counting and sorting centers at the national level, developed gradually until the half of next year, in parallel with the development of DRS. Two large centers already exist in Timișoara and Bucharest and by mid-2024 the rest will also be finalized.