Plastic pollution is a global plague, but also a catalyst for sustainable businesses, resilient economies and global solidarity, Avram Alexandru, Secretary General with the Ministry of Environment, Waters and Forests, declared at the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution (INC-5.2) held in Geneva between August 4 - 14.
"We are currently at a crucial crossroads. Fighting plastic pollution is not only an environmental imperative, but also a global opportunity. A well-crafted treaty can stimulate circular innovation, reduce inequality and build resilience for future generations. As a member of the High Ambition Coalition to End Plastic Pollution, Romania advocates for strong and enforceable measures, global design standards and a just transition to a circular economy. Romania aligns with the efforts of the European Union and the High Ambition Coalition, capitalizing on the opportunities an ambitious, fair and enforceable treaty could bring at global level. Such an agreement should include: binding provisions for the entire life cycle of plastics, support for systems such as Extended Producer Responsibility and clear implementation mechanisms. Plastic pollution is a global plague, but it is also a catalyst for sustainable businesses, resilient economies and global solidarity," said Avram, as cited in a post published on Thursday by the relevant ministry on the institution's Facebook page.
According to the cited source, Romania launched in 2023 the RetuRO Deposit Return System, one of the most comprehensive package management schemes in Europe, and over 5.8 billion beverage containers have been collected to day, taking the average return rate to approximately 80% and involving millions of citizens and approximately 80,000 merchants.
The Bucharest authorities have also adopted a National Strategy and a Circular Economy Action Plan, addressing the issue of plastics in packaging, agriculture and industry. "The NRRP invests in recycling infrastructure, green innovation and supports SMEs that adopt circular business models," the post states.
According to official statistics, between 19 and 23 million tons of plastic waste leak into aquatic ecosystems globally each year, polluting lakes, rivers and seas.
A Romanian delegation participated along with over 160 countries in the coordination meetings of EU member states and the Eastern European Group of States (EEG) organized by the INC Secretariat from 4 to 14 August 2025 in Geneva, with the aim of reaching an international agreement on plastic pollution.
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