According to a Kantar study, over 50 percent of Romanian consumers have subscribed to the Deposit-Return System to date. Of these, 25 percent consistently return DRS packaging to return points, and 58 percent have returned DRS packaging at least 3 times to date.

The study also shows that over 38 percent of people who have not yet participated in the DRS plan to do so in the near future.

More than 70 percent of respondents consider the Deposit-Return System as the best solution for packaging collection and recycling.

Gemma Webb, CEO and President of RetuRO SGR: “This study confirms to us that Romanians have a real concern for the environment and want to get involved and recycle. The DRS system gives them an affordable and practical tool to do this.

The results of the study are very good, and the premises are optimistic, if we look at the fact that the majority of consumers who have not yet used the DRS intend to adopt it in the near future. At the same time, most Romanian consumers consider DRS to be the best solution for packaging collection and recycling.

One important thing we’re seeing is that consumer familiarity has grown as people have started to adopt the system in their everyday lives. The constant information campaigns that RetuRO carried out on all channels and in all contact points also contributed to increasing DRS notoriety among Romanians. We can say with confidence that DRS started a structural and cultural change in Romania regarding the importance of recycling.”

The results recorded by the DRS system in the first 4 months of operation reflect the progress of the system and an increasingly widespread adoption, the growth being exponential from month to month. More than 100 million packages were returned by consumers and more than 1 billion packages were placed on the market by manufacturers during this period.