Anca Marinescu(RetuRO):We are at 80% packaging return rate,a year and a half after guarantee-return system

The collection rate in the guarantee-return system is 80%, a year and a half after the system's implementation, which shows that people have made it a habit to return packaging as part of their daily or weekly routine, said Anca Marinescu, Corporate Affairs and Communication Manager at RetuRO SGR, on Thursday, during a conference on environmental issues.

"A year and a half since the guarantee-return system was implemented, we are at an 80% packaging return rate, which is fantastic. In the last 11 months we have kept this percentage constant. There were indeed peaks, like the one in January, when more than 100% of the packaging was returned. It is natural after the holiday period, when everyone consumes less and returns. People have made it a habit to return packaging, as part of their daily or weekly routine," said Anca Marinescu, at an event organized by PRIAevents.

She also emphasized that this year, various solutions were sought to make the system more accessible to consumers. Thus, from August, mobile return machines (mobile RVMs) will begin operating in rural communities - and will collect packaging from small stores.

"This year we tried to make the system more accessible - and various solutions were thought of so that all consumers can have easier access to the guarantee - return system. In August, RetuRO's first mobile RVM will start operating in rural communities and collect packaging from small stores, making this process easier for them. The reluctance of those with small stores to collect from consumers, generally in rural areas, comes from the difficulty of then returning them to RetuRO, and the mobile RVM comes to solve this problem", added Anca Marinescu.

In April, RetuRO CEO and President Gemma Webb said that the mobile return machines (RVMs) had been tested in the market and had been very successful.

Representatives of recycling and sanitation companies, organizations implementing extended producer responsibility obligations (OIREP), Administrative-Territorial Units (UAT), Intercommunity Development Associations (ADI) and central authorities will discuss, on Thursday, the most important environmental topics, within a new edition of the Pria Environment event.