Every Can Counts, a global initiative committed to encouraging aluminium drink can recycling, has analysed data from the first four months of 2025, based on official monthly reports by RetuRO, Romania's Deposit Return System (SGR) operator.
The findings reveal that Romania is making significant strides in sustainability. Between January and April 2025, the national recycling rate for aluminium cans soared to nearly 74 per cent, more than double the 35 per cent reported by European Aluminium for the country in 2022.
Which country scored the big?
Not only this, during the first four months of 2025, Romanian countries like Bucharest, Timiș, Cluj, Ilfov, and Constanța emerged as national leaders in aluminium can returns, both in terms of volume and consistency. These regions benefit from higher population densities, greater urbanisation, and increased exposure to sustainability initiatives, all of which contribute to stronger recycling engagement.
However, the rankings shift slightly when looking at aluminium can returns per 1,000 inhabitants between January and April 2025. Ilfov takes the lead with 28,068 cans returned per 1,000 residents, followed by Timiș (27,959), Bucharest (27,594), Cluj (24,157), and Constanța (23,711).
Other counties such as Brașov, Argeș, and Prahova also stand out for their proactive efforts and above-average recycling engagement, demonstrating that sustainability is gaining momentum beyond the major metropolitan centres.
Rising recycling rates in Romania
The recycling rate has also seen a notable increase compared to 2024, when RetuRO reported an annual recycling rate of 49 per cent for metal packaging, including aluminium cans. This significant rise highlights a growing shift in public behaviour from passive disposal to active recycling spurred by the launch of Romania's Deposit Return System (SGR) and strengthened by awareness initiatives like Every Can Counts.
The campaign plays a key role in inspiring change by educating the public on how small everyday actions contribute to the circular economy. In a survey conducted by Every Can Counts across multiple European countries, 75 per cent of Romanian respondents identified "encouraging individuals to recycle more" as the most important action for environmental protection ranking it above all other options.
Also Read: PABC defies market turbulence, posts 4.29% surge in its gross profit
"Cans are no longer seen as waste but as valuable resources. And this is exactly the cultural change we aim to trigger. Aluminium is infinitely recyclable, making it one of the most valuable materials in a circular economy. Returning a single can may seem like a small gesture, but it's part of a powerful chain reaction — one that conserves energy, reduces emissions, and brings us closer to a zero-waste future. The substantial increase of the recycling rate in Romania reflects the effect of the joint efforts of continuous communication and infrastructure that supports recycling," said David Van Heuverswyn, Director of Every Can Counts Global.
Raul Pop, Project Director at ECOTECA, a waste management-focused NGO, commented on the rising recycling rates, acknowledging Romanians' significant progress on their journey toward a more sustainable lifestyle.
More than just a statistic, the 74 per cent return rate reflects a powerful cultural shift. Through creative activations in public spaces, digital storytelling, and collaborations with artists and media, Every Can Counts is shaping a new narrative, one where recycling becomes a natural habit, and aluminium drink cans stand as a symbol of that change.
In Romania, the Every Can Counts initiative is supported by CANPACK, a leading aluminium drink can manufacturer, and European Aluminium's Packaging Group, which represents the four major aluminium, can sheet suppliers in Europe. Their combined efforts aim to inspire lasting behavioural change around sorting and recycling aluminium cans, with the ambitious goal of reaching an 80 per cent global recycling rate by 2030 and achieving 100 per cent by 2050.
Also Read: Romania’s DRS achieves impressive milestone with 3 billion beverage containers
Image Source: Every Can Counts
Responses
