The most significant drops are seen in the recyling of glass and metal
- Romania has recycled only 38.31% of packaging waste, marking a decline of 1.56 percentage points, according to the latest National Institute of Statistics (INS) data.
- By category, the most significant decreases were observed in the recycling of glass, which dropped from 42.6% in 2020 to 28.03% in 2021 – and metals, which saw a decrease from 51.12% to 44.24%.
- On the other hand, modest progress has been noted in the recycling of plastic and paper / cardboard. The recycling rate for plastic increased from 30.05% in 2020 to 31.59% in 2021 – and for paper and cardboard from 6.32% to 67.88%
Romania continues to face major challenges in managing and recycling packaging waste. According to the latest data, our country has recycled only 38.31% of packaging waste, marking a decline of 1.56 percentage points – according to information put together by the National Institute of Statistics (INS)[i].
This decrease highlights the urgent need for concrete, coherent and effective measures to stimulate recycling and protect the environment.
By category, the most significant decreases were observed in the recycling of glass, which dropped drastically from 42.6% in 2020 to 28.03% in 2021 – and metals, which recorded a decrease from 51.12% to 44.24%.
Modest progress in the recycling of plastic and paper/cardboard
On the other hand, modest progress has been noted in the recycling of plastic and paper/cardboard. The recycling rate for plastic increased from 30.05% in 2020 to 31.59% in 2021 – and for paper and cardboard from 6.32% to 67.88%. However, these increases are insufficient to compensate for the significant decreases in the other sectors.
“This data represents a wake-up call for Romania. As we emphasize every time, it is clear that Romania is not making sufficient progress to meet the environmental goals set by the European Union. The problems are numerous, but it is essential to focus on solutions. It is imperative to intensify efforts to educate and raise awareness among the population about the importance of recycling, to improve the collection infrastructure, and to implement effective policies that stimulate recycling at a national level. Only through a coordinated approach and firm commitment can we ensure a sustainable future for our country,” says Cosmin Monda, founder and CEO of Clean Recycle.
In light of these challenges, a joint effort is needed from authorities, environmental organizations, citizens and companies generating packaging waste to actively contribute to increasing the recycling rate by adopting sustainable and responsible practices.
In the first 4 months of the year, Clean Recycle managed over 37,000 tons of packaging waste for more than 800 clients in its portfolio, of which 18,000 tons were recycled and 1,700 tons were recovered through incineration.
About Clean RecycleClean Recycle is one of the top 5 players in the local market for the transfer of responsibility regarding packaging waste (OIREP), taking over the obligation of reporting the collection and recovery of packaging and packaging waste placed on the market by producers and importers. Clean Recycle manages a portfolio of over 800 companies that produce and market packaging waste accross Romania, operating in sectors such as FMCG and retail, agribusiness, automotive, distribution, industrial production, pharmaceuticals and more
