The ECOTECA Association, in partnership with the West University of Timișoara (UVT) and RetuRO, organized on Tuesday, June 3rd, the workshop “Responsible Journalism: The Deposit-Return System and Its Impact on Society”, dedicated to students and future journalists from the Faculty of Governance and Communication Sciences at UVT.
The event complements UVT’s ongoing sustainability initiatives and continues the successful partnership the university has developed with RetuRO since February. The workshop brought together over 20 journalism students and local journalists, offering them a unique opportunity to understand how the Deposit-Return System (DRS) works, what sustainable communication entails, and why using correct environmental terminology matters.
The workshop was held during Green Month at UVT, as part of the ECO Student project launched by ECOTECA, through which university campuses are equipped with reverse vending machines for packaging return. Between March and May 2025, students returned over 11,000 containers at the RVM installed on the UVT campus, recording 608 transactions and a daily average of 154 containers collected. The average number of containers per transaction has steadily increased, reaching 21 in May—a clear signal that smart collection solutions implemented in academic environments can drive real behavior change among youth.
Raul Pop, Program Director at ECOTECA, presented the national context of waste management and offered useful tools for journalists, such as:
● #CumStăm – a platform with environmental, economic, and demographic data visualizations
● Biblioteca de Mediu – resources, guides, legislation, and articles
● Academia de Mediu – an e-learning platform for professional training
● Nu e bine – a platform for reporting environmental incidents
● Scoala ECO – a system for assessing environmental performance in schools
He emphasized the importance of using accurate terminology: “We don’t recycle — we return for recycling. It’s not selective collection, but separate collection — as required by law. These nuances matter in sustainability communication.”
Petra Șerbănescu, Project Manager of ECO Student, clarified commonly misused terms:
● “Selective collection” is incorrect – the legally regulated term is “separate collection”;
● “Biodegradable packaging” is often misleading – “industrially compostable” is more accurate;
● “Zero waste” is an illusion – “near-zero waste” is a more appropriate term.
Ioana Ciobotariu, Consumer Marketing Manager at RetuRO, explained how Romania’s DRS operates — from the role of producers, retailers, and consumers, to the financial flow, logistics, and operations managed by RetuRO. By the end of April 2025, 1.45 billion containers had been collected, representing a return rate of 82%.
“Youth engagement in understanding and supporting the Deposit-Return System is essential. They are the ones who can carry forward responsible habits and help shift mindsets. The better we understand what happens to a container after it’s returned, the more likely we are to adopt responsible behavior.” – Ioana Ciobotariu
Timiș County ranks in the national top 3, with 27 containers returned per capita in April, surpassing the national average of 20. This performance confirms that the system works and is well-received locally, especially among young people.
The event highlighted the need for a well-informed press, capable of communicating environmental issues clearly and responsibly.
“Sustainability must become part of journalism’s DNA,” said Lecturer Dr. Simona Bader, Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Governance and Communication Sciences.
Professor Dr. Marilen Gabriel Pirtea, Rector of the West University of Timișoara, conveyed the following message:
“At UVT, we consistently support the formation of a generation that not only learns about sustainability but also practices and promotes it in the community. The workshop organized together with ECOTECA and RetuRO during Green Month is a concrete expression of this mission. We are pleased to see that our journalism students increasingly understand the impact they can have through responsible, reality-based, and legally aligned communication. UVT will continue to create educational contexts where sustainability, innovation, and civic engagement intersect and reinforce each other.”
To complement the educational experience, today, June 4th, UVT students participated in a field visit to the RetuRO center in Giarmata, one of Romania’s key logistics hubs in the Deposit-Return System. Covering 4,400 sqm and with a processing capacity of up to 8 million containers per month, the center is equipped with advanced technology for sorting, counting, and integrating returned packaging into the circular economy.
