Aluminium cans only packaging type growing in Romania's deposit scheme

Analysis by Every Can Counts of data from RetuRO, administrator of Romania's deposit-return system, shows the aluminium can recycling rate reached 80.5% in the first nine months of 2026, up from 75% a year earlier. Cans were the only packaging category to grow in volumes placed on market, up 2%, while total guaranteed packaging volumes fell 2.4% and plastic and glass both declined.

Why this mattersRising can collection and return rates support closed-loop aluminium supply for can makers such as Canpack, reinforcing cans' share gains against plastic and glass in deposit schemes.

• Aluminium can recycling rate in Romania's deposit-return system reached 80.5% in the first nine months of 2026, versus 75% in the same period of 2025
• Can return rate reached 85% in the nine months to September 2026, up from 82% a year earlier, after rising from 80.9% at end-July to 85% at end-September
• Cans placed on market rose 2% year on year in the nine months, the only packaging type to grow, while total guaranteed packaging volumes fell 2.4%
• Number of cans returned rose 6.3% year on year in the nine-month period
• Cans held a 29% share of guaranteed packaging placed on market in the third quarter, unchanged from the prior quarter and up from just over 20% in early 2024
• Every Can Counts in Romania is supported by Canpack and European Aluminium's Packaging Group

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