From the perspective of managed volumes and overall market size, Romania’s deposit return system (DRS) is currently the third largest in the European Union, after Germany and Poland, according to data published by RetuRO.
The Romanian model is now considered the largest fully integrated deposit return system in the world. This status is driven by its centralized governance structure, a nationally standardized operational framework, and the simultaneous inclusion of three types of packaging materials: PET, metal, and glass.
Collection volumes show a sharp acceleration
In 2024, Romania collected 3.36 billion packaging units out of a total of 6.1 billion placed on the market. In the first ten months of 2025 alone, the number of returned packages reached 4.5 billion, from a total of 5.3 billion introduced into circulation, representing a 62% increase in collected volumes year-on-year.
At the European level, Romania and the other 14 EU member states that have implemented a deposit return system achieved an average collection rate of 88% in 2024 for PET, glass, and aluminum packaging.
The rollout of the system was initially supported by a €4 million loan provided by beverage producers, followed by an €86 million green loan secured by RetuRO. Additional investments of €70 million are planned through 2029.
Performance gains are closely linked to sustained investment in infrastructure and technology. In 2025 alone, RetuRO allocated investments totaling 33.7 million lei. According to CES Bucharest data, these investments generate a significant multiplier effect in the economy, with every leu invested producing approximately 0.57 lei in added value.
Articolul Romania operates the third-largest deposit return system in the EU a fost publicat prima dată în Money Buzz! • Știri Economice, Știri Financiare, Știri Business