TOMRA Collection Romania hits 500K daily sessions

ROMANIA – TOMRA Collection Romania has reached a significant milestone in the country’s deposit return system (DRS) for drink container recycling, recording over 500,000 consumer sessions daily.

During these sessions, recyclers return their containers to TOMRA reverse vending machines (RVMs), reflecting Romanians’ growing engagement with the DRS.

This system aims to collect 65% of beverage containers made of plastic and glass this year, with targets set to increase to 85% for glass containers and 90% for plastic and metal by 2026.

Consumer participation has surged since the launch of Romania’s DRS on 30 November 2023. In January 2024, the average daily sessions were 21,700, which soared to 454,000 by June.

By early July, the program surpassed 500,000 daily sessions, marking a significant uptick in recycling activity.

“We are pleased to see more and more consumers returning beverage containers,” said Dorin Mihai, General Manager of TOMRA Collection Romania.

“This shows that Romanians understand the benefits of collecting and recycling, significantly contributing to a cleaner environment. Each container returned in the DRS means one less container in our forests, rivers, and streets.”

TOMRA has ensured that all RVMs installed across the country meet the specifications and standards set by the DRS administrator, RetuRO Sistem Garantie-Returnare.

A key requirement from RetuRO is that all returned containers must be compacted or crushed at the point of return, a feature that has been mandatory in all RVMs since 31 May 2024.

“TOMRA RVMs collect all types of containers under the specifications imposed by RetuRO. Compliance with these requirements is important for retailers, as the handling fee and smooth operations related to DRS depend on it,” Mihai added.

TOMRA Collection Romania supports retailers of all sizes by providing RVMs that automate the return process, making it more efficient for consumers and store personnel.

These machines are installed in various retail environments, with 80% in large retail chains and 20% in independent stores and other return points.

The company also offers guidance and support for legal compliance and the organization of return points.

In March 2024, TOMRA Collection launched in-store tests for its new R2 RVMs in select locations across four European countries: Germany, Sweden, Norway, and Finland.

The market tests, which began on 29 February, aim to enhance the recycling experience with a machine designed for smaller stores, redefining RVM design and usability.

The feedback gathered from these tests will be instrumental in refining the product before its official launch in September 2024.

The TOMRA R2 RVM allows users to deposit multiple containers simultaneously, streamlining the recycling process.

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