'We like it a lot': how Romania created the largest deposit return scheme in the world

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CoreCraze

Romania's Recycling Revolution: A Global Model?

In a stunning turnaround, Romania has become a leader in recycling, thanks to its innovative deposit return scheme (DRS). The system, which was launched just two years ago, has seen beverage-packaging collection and recycling skyrocket to 94% in some months. The country's recycling rates were once among the lowest in the EU, but now it's one of the top performers.

For Dana Chitucescu, a 51-year-old resident of Pianu de Jos, the DRS is a daily reality. She gathers empty bottles and cans every week and takes them to her local shop, where they are collected and recycled. For Chitucescu, the system has brought numerous benefits, including an extra 40 leu (approximately £9) per week in recycling income, which helps pay for her family's cat food.

The success of Romania's DRS is a result of careful planning, modern software, and industry collaboration. The country began discussions about the scheme in 2018, and RetuRO, the company running the system, worked with beverage packaging manufacturers and the state to create a comprehensive logistics network. Other countries, including Poland, Turkey, Bulgaria, Moldova, and Serbia, have taken notice and are seeking advice on how to implement similar systems.

While Romania's recycling rates are impressive, experts note that the country still has work to do. Beverage packaging accounts for only 5% of all waste generated in Romania, and the overall recycling rate remains low. However, re-use is seen as a crucial aspect of reducing waste, and many argue that the current system focuses too much on collection and not enough on re-circulation.

Chitucescu's perspective reflects this debate. While she's proud of her country's recycling efforts, she notes that the success is not measured in numbers but in what it does not see anymore – litter and pollution. Her village streets are now free from waste, a stark contrast to their former state.

As Romania continues to refine its DRS, experts predict that it will serve as a model for other countries struggling with waste management. With its innovative approach and industry collaboration, Romania has proven that recycling can be a game-changer. The question is: can the rest of Europe follow suit?
 
I think it's awesome how Romania is leading the way in recycling 🌟! I mean, 94% collection rate is crazy! It just shows that with the right system and industry collaboration, we can make a real difference 💪. Dana's story is so inspiring - who wouldn't want to earn extra money by doing something good for the environment? 😊 It's all about creating habits and making recycling a part of our daily lives. And let's not forget how it's changed her community - no more littering, yay! 🌿 Now, if only other countries could follow suit... that would be amazing 💫
 
I'm telling you, something fishy's going on here... Like, what's really driving these European countries to adopt recycling schemes like this? Is it just about saving the planet or is there some bigger agenda at play? 🤔 I mean, think about it - once Romania's recycling rates were the lowest in the EU, but now they're one of the top performers. Coincidence? I don't think so. There's gotta be some kind of vested interest here, maybe something to do with big corporations wanting to get rid of waste and increase profits. And what about this RetuRO company? Are they just a random startup or are they somehow tied into the EU's plans for waste management? 🤑 I'm not saying it's all bad - I love that people like Dana Chitucescu are making a difference, but let's not be fooled, there's more to this story than meets the eye...
 
I think its pretty cool that Romania's got this awesome recycling system in place 🌎💚. It makes total sense why they're now one of the top performers in the EU - it's all about creating a culture of re-use and reducing waste. The deposit return scheme is genius, especially for people like Dana who can earn some extra leu just by collecting cans and bottles.

The fact that other countries are taking notice and asking for advice is huge too 😊. It shows that this type of innovative thinking can have a ripple effect and inspire change on a bigger scale. But yeah, there's still room for improvement - like focusing more on re-circulation and reducing waste overall 🤔.

One thing that's really inspiring about Romania's DRS is the impact it's had on people's daily lives 💪. For Dana and others like her, it's not just about collecting cans and bottles - it's about creating a cleaner, healthier community. And that's something we can all get behind 🌈.
 
I'm loving this story about Romania's Recycling Revolution 🌎💚! I've been following their progress for a while now, and it's amazing to see how far they've come in just two years. The DRS has made such a huge difference in Dana's life, it's wonderful to hear that she's not only recycling more but also making some extra cash on the side 💸.

I totally get what the experts are saying about focusing too much on collection and not enough on re-circulation 🤔. We need to think outside the box (or bottle, haha) when it comes to waste management. As someone who's grown up seeing litter and pollution in my own community, I can attest that having clean streets is a game-changer. It's not just about the numbers; it's about creating a culture of care for our planet 🌟.

I'm excited to see which other countries will take note of Romania's success and start implementing their own DRS systems 💡. We're living in an exciting time, where innovation and collaboration are leading us towards a more sustainable future 🌱💚
 
I'm like really surprised by this news 🤯. I mean, Romania used to be so bad at recycling, but now they're like super good at it! It's so cool how they implemented this deposit return scheme and made it easy for people like Dana to recycle their bottles and cans. She gets money back just by doing her part, that's amazing 💸. But I don't understand why some experts think the system is focusing too much on collecting trash instead of making stuff reusable again 🤔. Like, isn't reducing waste all about reusing what we already have? I'm all for it, but I wanna know more about how they make sure everyone in Romania uses the recycling system 💡.
 
I mean, I'm loving this whole recycling thing! 🌎 It's amazing how far Romania has come, right? I remember when we used to throw away all those plastic bottles and cans like they were nothing. Now, it's like we're actually doing something about it! 🙏 Dana's story is so inspiring - who wouldn't want an extra £9 a week just for being eco-friendly? 😊 But, yeah, 94% recycling rate in some months is still crazy impressive.

And can you believe how long it took for Romania to get its act together? I mean, they were like the EU's worst-case scenario just a few years ago, but now... *looks at old pics of littered streets* Wow, times sure have changed. It's almost like we've been given a second chance.

I'm curious to see how other countries take note of Romania's DRS and try to replicate it. Maybe one day we'll be like them, with sparkling clean streets and minimal waste. Wouldn't that be something? 😆
 
I think what's fascinating about this story is how a simple deposit return scheme can have such a profound impact on a community 🌎💚. I mean, Dana's extra 40 leu per week is not just a monetary gain, but it's also a reflection of her contribution to the collective well-being. And let's be real, having clean streets and reduced litter is a huge morale booster 😊.

What I find interesting too is how Romania's success has inspired other countries to take notice 📈. It's amazing to see how a global approach can bring about positive change. However, as experts pointed out, there's still work to be done on re-use and re-circulation. Perhaps the key to taking it to the next level is finding that perfect balance between collection and re-use ⚖️.

It'll be exciting to see how other countries adopt similar systems and what lessons they can learn from Romania's model 🤔. One thing for sure, though - we're witnessing a major shift in attitudes towards waste management, and it's only going to get more interesting 💡
 
I gotta say, 94% recycling rate in just two years? That's insane! 🤯 It shows that when you get people involved and make it easy for them to recycle, big things can happen. I'm not surprised to hear that it's not just about collecting stuff, but also re-circulating it too - that makes so much sense.

I think what's even more impressive is how they're getting beverage packaging companies on board. They're working together like a well-oiled machine, which is exactly what you need for this kind of system to be successful. And now other countries are taking notice? That's awesome! 👏
 
I'm loving this story about Romania's recycling revolution! 🤩 It's amazing to see how far they've come in just two years. I mean, 94% of beverage-packaging collection and recycling is insane 💥. And it's not just about the numbers, it's about the impact on communities like Dana's village, where litter and pollution used to be a major issue 🌎.

I think what's really interesting is how they've managed to get industry collaboration on board 💼. It's clear that this system wouldn't have worked without the participation of beverage packaging manufacturers and the state. And now, other countries are taking notice 👀. I'm excited to see if they can replicate this model elsewhere in Europe.

But, as you said, it's not just about recycling rates 📊. It's about reducing waste altogether 💡. Re-use is key, and that's something we should all be striving for 😊. Here's hoping Romania continues to refine their system and shares its expertise with the rest of us! 👍
 
🤔 just read about romania's recycling revolution and i gotta say its kinda cool how they went from being one of the lowest recyclers in eu to now having one of the top rates 🚮💚 Dana Chitucescu's story is so inspiring, like her family's cat food is literally paid for by her weekly recycling income 🐈💸 but yeah, there's still room for improvement, especially with only 5% of waste being recycled 🤷‍♀️ and some ppl argue that re-use should be prioritized over collection 👀 anyway, i guess its a good thing other countries are taking notice and trying to learn from romania's system 💡
 
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