Over 290 million packages carrying the deposit return logo were returned alone in December 2024, Minister of Environment, Waters and Forestry Mircea Fechet announced on Facebook on Wednesday, informs Agerpres.
"We have the clearest proof that package recycling through the deposit return system has entered the Romanians' good habits list, as even in December, when the winter holidays are on everyone's agenda, over 290 million PETs, bottles and aluminum cans were returned. Moreover, 221 new automatic collection machines were commissioned, adding to the already existing equipment in the thousands of such return points set up in 2024. According to the latest data, in December, the amount of packaging handed over to recyclers remained in line with the previous months: over 27,800 tons of plastic, glass and aluminum reached recycling plants, where they are transformed into raw materials. The fact that, in just one year and starting from scratch, the deposit return system has achieved enviable performances in EU countries in terms of collection rates makes me optimistic that 2025 will be the year when we will see the system operating close to its top speed, because we have no plan to slow down," Fechet stressed.
He also mentioned that new regional package counting and sorting centers will be opened in the coming months. "We are also taking important steps so that recycling reaches its full potential: 26 new recycling plants will be put into operation with funding from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, helping us process important resources in Romania and creating thousands of other jobs throughout the economic chain," said the head of the Environment Ministry.