Nearly two years after the launch of the Deposit-Return System (DRS), a CURS study shows a visible shift in the way Romanians relate to beverage packaging: returning containers has become a natural, everyday gesture, and the experience is positive for most users.
According to the survey, three out of four people who return packaging say they are very satisfied or satisfied with the entire process. The result confirms that the DRS is not just a collection infrastructure, but a mechanism that shapes behavior and creates new habits of responsible consumption.
For almost half of respondents, the full return process takes less than 10 minutes.
Returning packaging has become a stable habit, with 52% doing so weekly, 30% monthly, and a small segment—4%—returning items daily. The action is no longer seen as an obligation but as a natural part of shopping and everyday life.
Since the introduction of the DRS, household habits have also begun to change noticeably. One-third of Romanians (32%) say they sort more waste at home. A quarter (25%) plan their purchases more carefully. Another 23% report discussing topics such as the environment, consumption, and responsibility more frequently.
For 74% of Romanians, returning packaging is a source of pride—a sign that people feel their actions have a real impact. Recovering the deposit remains an important incentive (95%), but motivations such as caring for the environment (94%) and setting a good example for children (93%) are equally strong.
