The collection points will be set up inside the stores or near them, at a distance of no more than 150 meters. They will operate on the same schedule as retail outlets. Bottles and cans can be handed over at any collection point in the country, without the need to present a cash receipt. This approach, according to the Ministry of Environment, will simplify citizen participation and increase recycling rates.
The regulation on the functioning of the system has already been approved by the government. The document provides a mechanism for the collection, return and recycling of both reusable and disposable packaging. The system administrator will be appointed by the Cabinet of Ministers on the proposal of a special commission of the Ministry of Environment. The selection criteria envisage the participation of producers controlling at least 60% of the beverage market in 2024.
The amount of the deposit will be determined annually by the ministry based on the administrator’s proposals, and will be returned to consumers in cash or by check upon surrender of containers.
According to the Ministry’s calculations, there are about 350-400 million units of various packaging in circulation in the market, which can be recycled or reused. When developing the system, they relied on the experience of Romania and nine other EU countries. Similar systems are successfully operating in Germany, Lithuania and Romania, where the level of pollution has been reduced by at least 70%.
In the first year of operation, it is planned to collect approximately 55% of glass containers and 60% of plastic and metal packaging.
In three years, these figures should reach 75-80%.
