The installation of digitalized eco-islands and their long-term operation are essential for achieving Romania’s recycling targets. The post-implementation phase of these systems was the central theme of the conference “Digitalized Eco-Islands: Best Practices, Legislation and Achieving Recycling Targets,” organized by 3R GREEN CLUSTER in partnership with the Ministry of Environment, Waters and Forests. Participants included State Secretary Raul Pop, Adrian Ștefănescu, Director within the Monitoring Department of the General Directorate for PNRR, Cecilia Martin, Director of the Waste and Contaminated Sites Directorate, as well as representatives of Ax Perpetuum, TechBolide, and several Local Administrative Units.
The event highlighted the status of on-the-ground investments and anticipated the transition from the project implementation phase, funded through European funds and covered by a two-year warranty period, to the medium- and long-term operational phase.
State Secretary Raul Pop emphasized the scale and importance of the eco-island investment program: “Our objective is for Romania to fulfill its obligations in waste management, and to do that we must realistically assess the local situation. We face major challenges in reaching our targets, and Romania is already paying penalties for landfill-related delays. The eco-island project is large in scope and it is very important that it has begun. We are now at a stage where the most important step is the effective use of the data generated by these systems. Eco-islands represent the final stage in the digitalization of the environmental sector, and 2026 is a key year for completing PNRR-funded investments. I believe the situation in the field is better than the figures show, but reporting must improve. We will launch a national information campaign, because when citizens are informed, they respond. It is also important to look at best-practice examples we can learn from.”
Adrian Ștefănescu, Director within the Monitoring Department of the General Directorate for PNRR, noted that the project is in an advanced implementation stage and will continue after European funds are exhausted, with financing taken over by the Environmental Fund: “We are approximately five months away from completing the PNRR-funded program. Out of the 5,000 planned eco-islands, more than 4,300 have already been installed, and most are already operational. The deadline for installing all units is June 30, after which the operationalization process will continue. The program does not end once PNRR closes. Durability and maintaining system functionality are essential components of the evaluation.”
From an environmental policy perspective, Cecilia Martin, Director of the Waste and Contaminated Sites Directorate, stressed the need for collaboration among all stakeholders and for program continuity in order to meet performance indicators: “Achieving recycling targets remains a major challenge, with performance stagnating at around 13%. Without real collaboration between authorities, operators, and citizens, results will not materialize. Eco-islands are a useful tool, but in parallel we must invest in education and information. The Ministry of Environment remains a dialogue partner in turning these investments into concrete results.”
Representatives of the companies supplying part of these systems also drew attention to this transition moment. After the first two years, during which suppliers handle maintenance under warranty, local authorities must budget these services, without which the systems cannot function optimally. According to the project, eco-islands must remain operational for another five years after the warranty expires, making maintenance absolutely necessary for program completion.
Dan Pitic, CEO of Ax Perpetuum, underlined the difference between installation and operation: “Eco-islands include a digital reporting system that shows usage frequency and supports the «pay-as-you-throw» principle. After the two-year warranty period, there follows at least five years in which the systems must remain functional. This requires maintenance for mechanical, electronic, and digital components alike. Technological continuity is essential for validating the long term investment.”
Mădălina Bîrsășteanu, CEO of TechBolide, the company that developed the electronic and software components installed in the systems, highlighted the role of the software platform: “The software platform is, practically, the digital administrator of eco-islands. It manages collected quantities, user profiles, and volume details, giving administrations a clear picture of system performance. In the upcoming period, over 1,000 eco-islands will exit warranty, and it is important for local authorities to budget maintenance in advance. Eco-islands must be constantly maintained and updated to operate within parameters. A major advantage for municipalities is cost savings. By using collected data, the entire waste collection process can be optimized and streamlined, reducing penalties and preserving significant funds in local budgets.”
Georgiana Bădălică, Marketing Director at TechBolide, pointed to the opportunities created by the digital component in fulfilling citizen information obligations: “Municipalities must run information campaigns on separate collection, and the software platform offers one of the most accessible and efficient communication channels. Additional features dedicated to communication campaigns can be implemented through software updates. These tools can be activated at the request of local authorities and naturally integrated into the existing digital ecosystem. Practically, eco-islands can become not only collection points, but also direct channels for informing and educating communities using already-installed infrastructure.”
Ax Perpetuum is the project leader for the awarded program lots and supplier of the physical equipment, while TechBolide is the subcontractor providing the digital system component, the electronics installed on eco-islands and the software. To date, with the support of the two companies, more than 4,000 digitalized eco-islands have been installed, used across nearly 80 administrative-territorial units, with over 6 million recorded accesses so far.
The shared conclusion of the conference was that the post-implementation stage is decisive for validating the investment initially made through PNRR and subsequently through the AFM. Installing eco-islands was a fundamental step, but the project’s success will be measured by local authorities’ ability to maintain system functionality after the warranty period expires. Continuous digital maintenance, software updates, and constant operation of technological infrastructure are necessary conditions for eco-islands to remain an effective waste-management tool.
A second essential objective is the use of system-generated data. Eco-islands provide local administrations with access to relevant information on usage frequency, collected volumes, citizen behavior, and how waste is separated by fractions for collection. Leveraging this data can optimize services, support administrative decision-making, and reduce costs generated by non-compliance or penalties. Without integrating this information into decision processes, digitalization risks remaining merely installed infrastructure rather than an active performance-enhancement mechanism.
Finally, participants emphasized that achieving recycling targets requires institutional collaboration and shared responsibility. Central authorities, local administrations, and technology solution providers must act in coordination to ensure project continuity, learn from experience, and share best practices and field-tested solutions. Eco-islands represent a strategic investment in modernizing public environmental services, and embracing the maturation phase – through budget planning, maintenance, and constant dialogue – is the necessary step for transforming this investment into lasting community outcomes.
