Interviews with experts from the industries driving the development of sustainable infrastructure.

What does the future of waste management in Romania look like? What challenges are slowing progress, and which opportunities could accelerate the transition to a circular economy?

1

What is the biggest challenge facing the waste management industry today?

The greatest challenge is also our greatest reason for optimism: Romania has laid the foundations, and the next step is ensuring that the infrastructure delivers tangible results.

Over the past two decades, Integrated Waste Management Systems, sorting facilities, composting plants, and transfer stations have been developed across the country. The infrastructure is in place. A recycling rate of around 11–13% shows where we stand today, but it also highlights the significant potential for growth built on this foundation.

The next priority is to ensure that the entire system operates as an integrated whole — from proper source separation and transport that preserves waste streams, to treatment facilities receiving high-quality materials for recovery and recycling.

2

What is the greatest opportunity Romania can capitalize on?

Biowaste represents Romania's greatest opportunity.

It accounts for nearly half of municipal waste and has been subject to mandatory separate collection since 2021. Every tonne diverted from landfill to composting directly increases recycling rates and reduces the volume of waste disposed of in landfills.

At the same time, we believe the sector cannot reach its full potential without a comprehensive and predictable legislative framework. While separate collection is already mandatory, Romania still needs clear implementing rules for composting and regulations that support the use of compost. We advocate legislation that establishes clear standards for the production, certification, and use of compost, ensuring it is recognized as a valuable resource rather than simply as waste.

We also see significant potential in decentralized and on-site composting, particularly in rural areas, where transport costs to centralized facilities can be substantially reduced. Successful initiatives, such as the one in Maramureș County — where more than 82,000 home composters have been distributed and operator performance is linked to the quality of separate collection — demonstrate that this model can be successfully replicated across the country.

The key to unlocking the entire value chain is the development of a functioning compost market in Romania. Once compost is supported by clear quality standards and a regulatory framework that encourages its use in agriculture and landscaping, it will become an economically valuable resource. At that point, the entire cycle — from biowaste collection to compost utilization — will operate on sound economic principles rather than simply fulfilling a legal obligation.

3

What is your outlook for Romania's waste management sector over the next decade?

The next decade will mark a shift from quantity to quality and traceability — and that is encouraging because it is where the real value lies.

We already have strong evidence of this: companies reporting to the National Waste Registry achieve recycling rates exceeding 90%, largely because waste streams are fully traceable and accountability is clearly defined. It demonstrates that the system performs exceptionally well when every tonne can be tracked.

This same principle will gradually extend to the municipal sector through pay-as-you-throw schemes, performance indicators for waste operators, and incentives that reward high-quality separate collection.

The 2035 targets, particularly those related to landfill diversion, will accelerate investment in biowaste treatment and residual waste processing. In practice, European policy is transforming what was once optional into a funded strategic priority — a positive catalyst for the entire sector.

We would also add a realistic yet optimistic perspective: progress will not be uniform across the country. Some counties will reach European standards much faster and become benchmarks for others. The decisive factor will be local administrative capacity, which is encouraging because the necessary technologies already exist. We are not waiting for new inventions — we already have the solutions. The challenge now is to implement them consistently nationwide.

4

Which solutions and technologies should be showcased at Green Energy Expo & Romenvirotec 2027?

We see three priorities for Romania, ranked by urgency.

Solutions that are transforming the industry
deserve to be seen.

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