Romanians returned more than 5.2 billion packages last year, with more than 350 million packages collected in December, RetuRO, the administrator of the Return Guarantee System, reported on Thursday.
Thus, in 2025, the collection rate reached 83%. This result reflects the increasing involvement of consumers and the high level of confidence in the functioning of the system. More than 350 million packages were collected in December, with a monthly return rate of around 72%. Thus, the 2025 results confirm the operational maturity of the system and its widespread adoption, a RetuRO press release said.
Over the past year, RetuRO has handed over to recyclers about 387,000 tons of materials - PET, aluminum and glass, strengthening collection and recycling streams nationwide.
In its two years of operation, more than 8.5 billion beverage cartons have been collected through the Guaranteed Return Guarantee Scheme.
The Return Guarantee Scheme continues to support Romania's transition to a circular economy, mobilizing millions of Romanians to adopt environmentally responsible behavior.
RetuRO Return Guarantee System is a not for profit company - meaning that any profit the company makes from the collection of beverage packaging will be reinvested exclusively in the development of the RMS. The company was created by a consortium of three private shareholders: Romanian Brewers Association for the Environment (30%), Soft Drinks Producers Association for Sustainability (30%) and Retailers Association for the Environment (20%) and one public shareholder, the Romanian state, through the central environmental authority, the Ministry of Environment, Water and Forests (20%).
RetuRO, the administrator of the SGR, is exclusively privately funded and aims to ensure transparency on the quantities of beverage packaging put on the market and returned by consumers.