Romania Achieves 74% Aluminium Can Recycling Rate in Early 2025

Every Can Counts, a global initiative promoting aluminium can recycling, has analyzed official data from RetuRO, the operator of Romania’s Deposit-Return System (SGR), for the first four months of 2025. The results show a national recycling rate of nearly 74%, marking a major leap from the 35% reported in 2022 by European Aluminium.

Strong Progress Toward a Circular Economy

The increase also represents significant progress compared to 2024, when RetuRO reported a 49% annual recycling rate for metal beverage containers. The shift reflects a nationwide move from passive disposal to active recycling, driven by the launch of Romania’s deposit-return system and awareness campaigns such as Every Can Counts.

According to a recent Every Can Counts survey conducted in several European countries, 75% of Romanians identified “encouraging people to recycle more” as the most important action needed to protect the environment.

"We’re seeing a real shift in consumer behavior," says Raul Pop, Project Director at ECOTECA, a Romanian NGO focused on waste management. "Recycling is becoming a natural part of daily life."

From Bin to Shelf in 60 Days

An aluminium can is one of the most efficiently recyclable materials. Once collected, it can return to store shelves as a new beverage container in just 60 days, using 95% less energy than producing a new can from raw materials. Unlike many other materials, aluminium does not lose quality during recycling and can be reused infinitely, making it both sustainable and scalable.

Top Regions for Can Returns (Jan–Apr 2025)

The regions with the highest return rates for aluminium cans, both in total volume and per capita, are:

• Ilfov – 28,068 cans / 1,000 residents
• Timiș – 27,959
• Bucharest – 27,594
• Cluj – 24,157
• Constanța – 23,711

Larger populations, urban density, and greater exposure to sustainability messaging are seen as key drivers behind these high return rates. Other counties like Brașov, Argeș, and Prahova also stand out for their above-average recycling engagement, signaling that sustainable habits are spreading beyond major cities.

The Aluminium Can: A Symbol of Circular Culture

The 74% return rate represents not just logistical improvement, but a cultural shift toward sustainable consumption. Through public events, creative partnerships, and digital campaigns, Every Can Counts helps make recycling second nature—and positions the aluminium can as a symbol of collective environmental responsibility.

In Romania, the initiative is supported by CANPACK and the European Aluminium Packaging Group, which includes the continent’s four largest aluminium sheet suppliers.

The long-term vision:

• 80% global recycling rate by 2030
• 100% by 2050