Romania has introduced a centralised deposit system for drinks packaging. With almost 80,000 collection points, it is said to be the world's largest deposit return system. It applies to disposable primary packaging made of glass, plastic or metal with volumes of 0.1 to 3 litres. The deposit per bottle is the equivalent of around 10 cents.
Romania has thus joined 13 other EU countries that have already introduced deposit systems with the aim of increasing the collection and recycling rates of single-use drinks packaging. The system is operated by RetuRO, a consortium founded by retail associations and beverage producers and supported by the Romanian Ministry of Environment, Waters and Forests. RetuRO aims to around seven billion beverage containers annually manage the Improvement one of the lowest recycling rates in Europe to be created. All companies that produce, import or sell drinks in disposable containers are obliged to participate in the new deposit return system. The aim is to establish it as the most comprehensive integrated system worldwide.
The Romanian Deposit Return System (DRS) utilises a software solution from Sensoneo, a technology company based in Slovakia. The software integrates all parties involved and collects data along the entire process chain.
“Despite many challenges, we managed to implement a very complex system in a short space of time. It is a complex, modular system that not only has to support the information received from almost 80,000 economic operators, but also has to correlate identification, inventory, return, recording, invoicing and reporting data for almost seven billion packages.”
Cristian Mihai, IT Director of RetuRO
Sensoneo has developed an immediately integrable IT system that Adapted to the specific requirements of different countries can be realised. The technology company has extensive experience with deposit return systems and, according to its own information, is currently the only DRS integrator to offer active in five European countries is. In addition to Romania, Sensoneo's DRS IT solution serves as the central infrastructure for the entire DRS system in Slovakia, Malta, Ireland and Hungary. The Slovakian DRS system was implemented in just 10 months and currently achieves a recycling rate of 93 per cent.
“We are delighted that another European country is on its way to introducing a deposit return system. I believe that this is the right step for Romania to increase the recovery of clean material streams and reduce waste pollution. Our DRS IT solution is perfect for a large-scale deployment as it provides a centralised platform for all stakeholders of the DRS system with a high level of automation of waste management and financial flows.”
Peter Knaz, Head of the DRS division at Sensoneo
Source: Sensoneo
