Starting May 1, 2025, Verdum’s leadership was taken over by Marius Costache, previously a member of the company’s supervisory board and currently managing a broader portfolio within GreenGroup (GreenWEEE and GreenGlass companies). His focus is now on consolidating Verdum’s position as a reliable and agile partner for industries facing increasingly strict ESG requirements, while accelerating innovation and operational excellence in line with GreenGroup’s circular economy strategy.

Verdum is a Romanian company specializing in waste management solutions with over two decades of experience and headquartered in Oradea and operating nationwide. Verdum provides tailored, on-site waste management for large manufacturers, helping them turn waste from a logistical burden into a driver of sustainability, compliance and cost optimization.

How has Verdum’s integration into GreenGroup since March 2020 influenced the company’s strategic direction?

Verdum became part of GreenGroup in 2020, as a strategic move to expand the Group’s portfolio of services and strengthen its capabilities in managing complex industrial and hazardous waste streams.

Previously operating under the name Eltex, the company, now rebranded as Verdum, introduced a distinct set of capabilities to the industry. These include advanced on-site waste management systems, specialized handling of hazardous materials, and tailored solutions designed for industrial clients. Verdum also offers deep operational expertise in managing a wide range of materials across multiple sectors.

The support received from GreenGroup has significantly accelerated our growth, both in infrastructure, the complexity of services and quality we provide. Over the past five years, our team has expanded from 180 to nearly 400 employees, while revenue has increased substantially from €7 million to €20 million. Our role has expanded beyond reliable waste operations to becoming a key driver of circular transformation, helping clients turn complex waste streams into valuable resources, reduce emissions, and enhance their ESG performance. Becoming part of GreenGroup has empowered us to scale this vision and impact more broadly than ever before.

How would you describe Verdum’s mission today, and how does it align with GreenGroup’s circular economy principles?

Verdum’s mission is to be a catalyst for sustainable transformation by turning complex waste streams into valuable resources. Our services go far beyond simply emptying containers. We design and implement customized waste management systems directly on-site, ensuring real-time control over waste flows, from collection and sorting to recycling or recovery. These systems are adapted to each partner’s operational and environmental needs.

We focus on managing not only the physical waste, but also the invisible inefficiencies as time, resources, or energy lost due to outdated systems or unmanaged risks. That’s how we help clients optimize costs, reduce their carbon footprint, and advance real progress on ESG targets.

Verdum brings to the Group the ability to handle complex industrial and hazardous waste, completing the Group’s value chain and making the circular model fully functional across sectors.

Could you share some of the most impactful waste management projects Verdum has implemented in recent years?

Electronics Components Manufacturer – Automotive Sector.

A relevant example comes from a client in the automotive electronics sector, generating over 2,000 tons of industrial and packaging waste annually. Initially, waste was managed through a bulk collection system, with limited traceability and low recycling rates. In just a few months, the clients achieved a 70% increase in recyclable waste and 30% reduction in residual/municipal waste.
We redesigned the site’s entire waste management system, implementing: sorting at point of generation, including in ESD-protected areas, on-site pre-processing (shredding, compacting) for efficient transport and recycling, daily tracking and weighing of all waste flows, secure storage and destruction of nonconforming parts, compliant with IATF 16949, reorganized internal logistics to reduce unnecessary handling.

These results improved the client’s sustainability KPIs and reduced costs and simplified operations. Even more importantly, the new waste management model that we offered ensured eliminated the risk of nonconforming products entering secondary markets, a critical requirement in the automotive industry.

FMCG Manufacturer, upcycling of nonconforming products. Another client, an FMCG manufacturer, was previously sending approximately 180 tons of nonconforming products per year to energy recovery, a costly process with limited circular value. We intervened by redistributing this waste stream toward an upcycling solution, using a dedicated processing line to transform the products into industrial-grade secondary raw materials. This was achieved through a controlled process that altered the products’ physical properties (such as color, density, and scent), on a dedicated small-scale production line, ensuring full compliance and clear differentiation from the original goods. As a result, the client reduced waste by 85%, eliminated disposal costs by turning the materials into revenue, generating secondary resources, ensured 100% legal compliance and traceability, and successfully replicated the solution in two additional factories.

What major investments has Verdum made since joining GreenGroup?

One of our key priorities in recent years has been to invest where it truly matters, in strengthening our operations alongside industrial clients. We’ve invested several million euros in infrastructure, equipment, and digital tools,not just to grow, but to respond more effectively to the real-world challenges companies face every day.

What’s always set Verdum apart is our on-site waste management approach. It’s not a new direction, it’s how we’ve worked from the start. Being present at our clients’ facilities allows us to react in real time and build tailored, high-performance solutions.

Another area we’ve invested in is modernizing our equipment, particularly for hazardous waste management and secure destruction. And just as importantly, we’ve put a lot of energy into training our people. A strong, well-prepared team is what allows us to stay ahead, especially as expectations around ESG, transparency, and performance continue to grow.

In today’s market, companies want both sustainability and efficiency. How does Verdum deliver on both fronts?

We know that for most companies, sustainability is important, but so is staying efficient and competitive. That’s why we’ve shaped our solutions to do both: reduce environmental impact while also making real sense from a cost and operational perspective.

We work with industries where production volumes fluctuate and waste generation can be unpredictable. Many companies want to adopt circular practices but often lack the internal expertise, infrastructure, or guidance to implement them effectively. We bring to the table adaptable, hands-on support that helps businesses manage waste smarter, stay compliant, and save money in the process.Our solutions support their business not only through operational side, but also by aligning our expertise with their ESG frameworks and long-term sustainability goals.

How do you see the waste management and recycling industry evolving over the next decade?

I feel we’re entering a new chapter where waste management will no longer be just about compliance, but about value creation. We feel this among our clients, how their business is driving transformation, not because they have to, but because it makes sense. Clients are asking smarter questions, demanding better traceability, and pushing for solutions that don’t just solve a problem today, but improve their long-term performance.

Waste is not something to remove, but something to reimagine, a resource. And those who can turn complex waste flows into resource streams, while supporting transparency and ESG progress, will shape the future of this industry.

About Verdum
strategic circular economy partner within GreenGroup

Verdum is a Romanian company with a clear mission: to help large industries manage their waste smarter, safer, and more sustainably. With over two decades of experience, headquarted in Oradea and operating nationwide, Verdum provides tailored, on-site waste management solutions that go far beyond collection for large manufacturers, helping them turn waste from a logistical burden into a driver of sustainability, compliance, and cost optimization.

Since 2020, when GreenGroup acquired Eltex Recycling (now Verdum), the company has become the Group’s dedicated provider of industrial waste solutions, supporting zero waste to landfill ambitions, offering complete traceability, and redirecting valuable materials into new production cycles. Verdum acts as a one-stop-shop, providing equipment, trained personnel, and end-to-end services directly at client sites, regardless of geographical location.