Circular Futures - Brussels Roundtable Debate

European Parliament, December 9th, 2025

Circular Futures. Deposit Return System: The Romanian Roadmap

From Implementation to Impact: Good Practices for Advancing Deposit Return Systems in Europe

Romania has recently implemented one of the most ambitious Deposit Return Systems (DRS) in Europe, marking a significant step toward advancing circular economy goals and reducing packaging waste. As the EU intensifies its efforts to meet Green Deal objectives and strengthen resource efficiency, Romania’s experience offers timely insights into how large-scale systems can be successfully designed, rolled out and scaled. In this context, CES Bucharest organized a roundtable debate at the European Parliament focused on advancing Romania’s experience in DRS across Europe. Bringing together policymakers, industry leaders and experts, the discussion highlighted key ideas that will further support the effective rollout of DRS initiatives at EU level.

Participants highlighted the strong contribution of Romania`s DRS, operated by RetuRO, to waste reduction, increased recycling rates and the creation of economic and social value. A central theme of the debate was the need for stable and predictable legislation, as essential in ensuring long-term success, investor confidence and consistent implementation across member states.

Romania’s rapid, nationwide rollout of its DRS, a compelling best-practice example for other EU countries

Participants emphasized how Romania’s experience can inform and support broader European objectives, including in the context of the EU’s packaging and packaging waste regulation.

With discussions on strategic vision, ESG actionables and leveraging innovation for efficiency, CES ESG Conference offered a unique platform to benchmark, exchange knowledge and accelerate Romania’s transition to a net-zero, resilient and inclusive economy.

“The Deposit Return System in Romania is a genuine example of success at the European level. I had the privilege of being involved in the approval of this project back in 2022 and its development in such a short time confirms the system’s impact and robustness. The experience gained provides valuable insights to support the implementation of similar models in other Member States.”

MEP Virgil Popescu, member of EPP

“One of the essential elements for the successful implementation of the DRS system in Romania is cooperation, clarity, a shared focus on the same objective and consistent communication. These aspects were decisive for the rapid rollout of the deposit-return system, achieved through close collaboration with all stakeholders involved (shareholders, producers, authorities, retailers) and, most importantly, by maintaining an ongoing dialogue with the citizens of Romania.”

Gemma Webb, CEO of RetuRO SGR

The Deposit Return System in Romania is a genuine example of success at the European level. I had the privilege of being involved in the approval of this project back in 2022 and its development in such a short time confirms the system’s impact and robustness. The experience gained provides valuable insights to support the implementation of similar models in other Member States.

MEP Siegfried Muresan, vicepresident EPP

95% of the collected volume goes to recycling and is then used to produce new packaging with an increasingly higher recycled content. I believe that during the phase that defines the system’s maturity or maturation in Romania, it is essential to remain within the framework initially defined, while maintaining the flexibility to make adjustments where RetuRO needs to respond to real market needs, both in terms of potentially expanding collection centers, especially in rural areas and in operational design.

Alice Nichita, President of the Romanian National Soft Drinks Association

We started out on the right path. Of course, there are also challenges. From this perspective, I believe that the biggest challenge for RetuRO in Romania at the moment is to continue working on cost efficiency, as it is a system that entails a very high cost for the industry.

Julia Leferman, Secretary General, Brewers of Europe

The discussion benefited from insightful interventions by industry representatives – Gemma Webb (RetuRO SGR), Alice Nichita (Romanian National Soft Drinks Association), Constantin Bratu (Brewers of Romania), Julia Leferman (The Brewers of Europe), and Delphine Close (UNESDA – Soft Drinks Europe), expertly moderated by Prof. Christian Nasulea (UNIBUC). By highlighting Romania’s achievements and addressing key learnings and challenges, the event provided a valuable opportunity to showcase Romania’s DRS as a good practice model, foster policy dialogue at the European level and encourage cross-border cooperation and knowledge sharing.