A shelf with returnable bottles with a return notice on it

Romania has introduced a centralised deposit return system for packagings of beverages with almost 80,000 collection points. (Image: Sensoneo)

Romania launches the world’s largest deposit system for beverages

Deposit return systems for single-use packagings of beverages are already common place in many European countries. The Scandinavian countries were the first pioneers. They all report significantly higher rates of recycling. Recently, as the 14th country to do so, Romania has introduced a central deposit return system for packagings for beverages. With almost 80,000 collection points, it is set to become the world’s largest so-called Deposit Return System (DRS).

In doing so, Romania joins 13 other EU countries which have already introduced deposit return systems in order to increase the collection and recycling rates for single-use packagings for beverages. The country currently has one of the lowest recycling rates in all of Europe. The new system is operated by RetuRO, a consortium founded by retail associations and producers of beverages, and which is supported by the Romanian Ministry of Environment, Water and Forests. RetuRO is supposed to take charge of around seven billion packagings for beverages each year and thereby significantly improve the country’s recycling rate. All businesses that produce, import or sell single-use beverages containers are obligated to take part in the new deposit system. It is supposed to become the most comprehensive integrated system world-wide and applies to single-use primary packagings made of glass, plastic or metal with volumes from 0.1 to three litres. The deposit for each bottle is equivalent to around ten cent.

A deposit return system for single-use packaging for beverages. (Image: iStock)

The entire IT system for the deposit return system is supplied by the Slovakian tech company Sensoneo. Their software solution intergrates all parties involved in the process and collects data along the entire process chain. Implementing the DRS system, including the set-up of devices, integration of software as well as determination of security measures for appropriate locations for regional collection points, has come with complex challenges, the company says.

“In spite of many challenges, we have managed to implement a complex system in a very short time. The system is modular and has to support not only the information received from almost 80,000 participants, but also put identification, stock, return, entry, invoice and report data for almost seven billion packagings into relation.”

Cristian Mihai, IT Director at RetuRO

Modular System

The IT system developed by Sensoneo for DRS can be integrated and adapted to the specific requirements of different countries. During the preparation phase, the supplier of intelligent waste management solutions provides a market mapping tool which allows efficient implementation, including digital data recording and analysis of all participants, registration of companies and their beverages in the system, and automated digital ordering.

The complete DRS system then includes modules for all activities to do with preparation, distribution and reporting, for example a web hub for producers and retailers, the packaging register, the register of collection points and interfaces to other systems (counting and sorting centres). All these modules are hosted in the Microsoft Azure cloud infrastructure which offers many different options to scale performance as well as a high degree of security in the aera of recycling.

Achieving clean material flows

Sensoneo has extensive experience with deposit return systems and according to the company themselves they are currently the only DRS integrator active in five European countries. Apart from within Romania, the IT solution by Sensoneo serves as central infrastructure for the entire DRS system in Slovakia, Malta, Ireland and Hungary. The Slovakian DRS system was implemented in the year 2022 over the course of only ten months and is set to achieve a recycling rate of 93 percent. “We are happy that another European country is on its way to introduce a deposit return system. I believe that this is the right step for Romania to increase the re-introduction of clean material flows and to reduce waste pollution. Our DRS IT solution is perfect for use on a grand scale, as it offers a central platform for all participants of the DRS system together with a high degree of automation within the waste management industry”, says Peter Knaz, head of DRS at Sensoneo.

Mandatory deposit for bottles, cans & co.

The mandatory deposit for bottles, cans and other packaging has proven to be an effective way of reducing the amount of waste in the environment. The deposit encourages consumers to return their packaging and thus promote recycling. This helps to conserve resources and protect the environment. The development of the beverage deposit system in Romania shows how effective recycling can be in the packaging industry. This is just one example of the many exciting topics we cover in our magazine. Even if no trade fair is currently taking place, we invite you to visit our website regularly to find out more. New trends and technologies are waiting to be discovered by you and perhaps even utilised for your company. Stay on the ball, it's worth it!