Business Forum • 30 July, 2024 at 9:34 AM
In Constanța County, the recycling rate for plastic and metal waste is only 17.83%, while paper and cardboard waste have a recycling rate of 17.14%, according to the Constanța County Waste Management Plan 2020 - 2025. These figures fall well below European Union standards, which require a 40% recycling rate for plastic waste, 65% for ferrous metals, 40% for aluminum, and 70% for paper and cardboard.
The increasing number of tourists each year, insufficient separate waste collection points, and a lack of public education are just a few reasons why this county cannot meet its environmental targets.
Since 2020, Constanța County has reported an annual collection of over 300,000 tons of waste by sanitation operators, while by next year, the amount generated by the population could exceed 340,000 tons. For example, almost 10% of this amount is plastic waste.
To address these challenges, authorities in Constanța have announced that by the end of the year, they will install 275 eco-islands for separate waste collection, funded by the PNRR.
“Obviously, in tourist areas, the issue of separate waste collection and recycling is even more acute compared to other areas of Romania. There is a combination of negative factors. First, we need to talk about inadequate infrastructure, especially in beach areas where hundreds of thousands of tourists come each year to enjoy their vacation. However, we can enjoy our vacation in a more responsible way without jeopardizing our future health. I have often emphasized the need for education towards eco-responsible behavior. Even if there are no collection points on the beach, you can walk a few more meters to find one. It's an effort, yes, we agree, but it's for our own good”, says Cosmin Monda, founder and CEO of Clean Recycle.
The number of tourists visiting the Romanian coast continues to increase. Over 1.5 million Romanians and foreigners spent their holidays in Constanța County in 2023, an 8% increase compared to the previous year. This significant increase puts additional pressure on waste management infrastructure and highlights the need for swift and efficient measures to ensure a clean and healthy environment.
Clean Recycle is one of the top 5 players in the local market for the transfer of responsibility for packaging waste (OIREP), taking on the responsibility for reporting, collecting, and recycling packaging and packaging waste placed on the market by producers and importers. Clean Recycle manages a portfolio of over 700 companies that produce and place packaging waste on the market, operating throughout Romania in sectors such as FMCG and retail, agribusiness, automotive, distribution, industrial production, pharmaceuticals, and more.