Romanians will be able to return glass, plastic and metal packaging to the store

Producer: Gabriela Mitrovici - Producers, importers and retailers of beverages can now register in the database of the Guarantee-Return System, one of the most important circular economy projects in Romania. Through this system, starting from December 2023, Romanians will be able to return glass, plastic and metal packaging to the store and receive the guarantee that was included in the price of the product.

Reporter: Sorin Croitorescu - The law provides that, starting today and until February 28, all producers, importers or traders of products in the categories of bottled water, soft drinks, beer, cider, wine, spirits in single-use plastic packaging, glass or aluminum, with sizes between 0.1-3 liters must register in the Guarantee-Return System, as well as companies in the hospitality industry that sell these products.

Those who do not register in this database will no longer be able to sell their products on Romanian territory. Retailers and hospitality businesses will have to check that products come from a registered supplier, charge a 50 bani deposit on each drink sale and set up drop-off points for packaging to be collected from consumers and will return their warranty on the spot.

Failure to register in the Guarantee-Return System database entails a fine between 20.000-40.000 lei. Such systems have proven successful in countries around the world, including 12 in Europe, and in the case of Romania it will contribute decisively to reaching the recycling targets set at EU level.

Translated by: Radu Matei