Plastic, glass and metal packaging to be eligible for return: Administrator of packaging deposit system appointed

The Government has appointed the administrator of the packaging deposit system – an important step towards a modern mechanism for the collection and recycling of packaging, which will be implemented in the Republic of Moldova starting in 2027.

The national packaging collection and return system will encourage responsible consumer behavior by applying a refundable deposit on packaging, which can be recovered upon return. The system will work simply: when purchasing a packaged product, a small amount will be paid as a deposit, and upon returning the packaging, this amount will be refunded.

Thus, the separate collection rate for plastic, glass and metal packaging will increase and the amount of waste that is littered or landfilled will be reduced.

The administrator will be responsible for organizing, managing and monitoring the system, including cooperation with producers, importers, retailers and operators involved in the collection and recycling of packaging.

The implementation of the system will not generate additional costs for the public budget. The expenses for managing and operating the mechanism will be covered by the administrator and the economic operators involved, according to the principle of extended producer responsibility.

The deposit system for packaging is successfully applied in several European countries, such as Germany, Lithuania and Romania, where it has contributed to a significant increase in packaging return and recycling rates. Germany records return rates of approximately 98%, while Lithuania reaches about 90%. In Romania, the system achieved a collection rate of 55% in its first full year of operation, and in 2025 this increased to approximately 83%.