TOMRA Collection Romania announces that it has reached a number of over 500,000 consumers who returned DRS containers in a single day through TOMRA’s RVMs, located at retailers’ return points nationwide, within the Deposit return system (DRS).

DRS was launched on November 30, 2023, with a collection for recycling target in 2024 of 65 percent of plastic, glass, and metal beverage containers placed on the market. Starting with 2026, this target will increase to 85 percent for glass containers and 90 percent for plastic and metal

In the first month of the year, the daily average of consumers returning drink containers through TOMRA RVMs was 21,700, while in June, the recorded daily average was 454,000. Interest in DRS is constantly growing, so that at the beginning of July, over 500,000 consumers returned beverage containers in a single day through TOMRA RVMs.

“We are pleased to see more and more consumers returning beverage containers, showing 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. We are thanking to all our partners for their trust and for choosing TOMRA solutions for their return points,” said Dorin Mihai, General Manager of TOMRA Collection Romania.

Furthermore, TOMRA Collection Romania reports that all the Reverse vending machines installed nationwide complies with all specifications and standards imposed by the system administrator, RetuRO Sistem Garantie-Returnare.

An important specification required by the DRS administrator is that all collected containers must be compacted or crushed on the spot. As of May 31, 2024, the compliance period with this requirement for technology providers regarding glass containers has ended, and all RVMs that have been or will be installed must have the function to crush glass containers on the spot.

“TOMRA RVMs collect all types of containers under the specifications imposed by the DRS Administrator. Compliance with these requirements is an important aspect for retailers since getting the handling fee and the smooth operations related to DRS are depending on it,” added Dorin Mihai.                     

TOMRA Collection Romania provides large, medium, and small retailers with Reverse vending machines to automate the return process and to streamline collection for both consumers and store personnel. TOMRA RVMs are installed nationwide in all types of stores: hypermarkets, supermarkets, discount and cash & carry stores, small neighborhood stores, or village shops.

80 percent of the company’s systems are installed in large retail chains, while 20 percent are found in independent stores and other types of return points. Identifying market needs, TOMRA Collection Romania offers retailers the necessary information for legal compliance with DRS requirements, as well as the support needed to organize return points.

“We address retailers needs with solutions that include small-sized Reverse vending machines with a footprint of just 0.6 sqm and modular systems suitable for return points with a large number of consumers. We also ensure fast delivery and installation across the entire country and offer digital solutions to optimize the entire process. Through partners, we also provide flexible financing solutions,” added Dorin Mihai.

Founded in 1972, TOMRA provides reverse vending machines for Clean Loop Recycling, to transform society’s habits and keep valuable resources in a continuous loop of use and reuse. The company’s solutions collect aluminum, plastic and glass beverage containers to be continually reused and recycled back into new bottles and cans, particularly in regions with deposit return schemes.

With approximately 85,000 installations across more than 60 markets, TOMRA reverse vending machines capture over 46 billion used bottles and cans each year. This reduces reliance on raw materials, and ensures fewer containers end up in our streets, oceans and landfills.