Romania is planning clearer legislation, stricter enforcement and stronger economic incentives to improve construction and demolition waste management and boost its circularity rate, said Mihaela Frăsineanu, State Counsellor at the Prime Minister’s Chancellery, during the Circular Constructions conference organised by the Circular Economy Coalition.
Frăsineanu said her priorities include developing a clear legislative framework through cooperation between the ministries responsible for the environment, development, transport and the economy, as well as implementing the measures set out in Romania’s Circular Economy Action Plan.
She highlighted the need to increase the country’s circularity rate, which, she noted, places Romania last in the European Union.
“The starting point must be the legislation already in place,” she said, referring to existing waste management provisions covering waste prevention, reuse and recycling targets. Current requirements also include sorting waste at source, with the aim of preparing 70% of construction and demolition waste for reuse.
While acknowledging that some construction sites may lack adequate space for on-site sorting, Frăsineanu criticised the reluctance to implement these measures, often justified by practical difficulties and costs.
“Too often, we choose the easiest and cheapest option, even though landfilling waste is not necessarily the most appropriate solution,” she argued, stressing that compliance with legislation must become standard practice.
She also emphasised that the benefits of the circular economy extend beyond environmental protection to the economic performance of businesses. Reusing materials and improving waste management can create business opportunities, and these benefits need to be better understood across the industry.
New legislation planned for construction and demolition waste
As part of the government’s commitments in the environmental sector, the authorities intend to introduce legislation specifically addressing construction and demolition waste management, incorporating essential circular economy provisions. Frăsineanu said the target was to have the law in place by mid-2027.
The initiative comes as the European Commission is expected to present a new Circular Economy Action Plan, potentially bringing additional obligations for Member States. Frăsineanu warned that failure to implement these requirements could have consequences.
To improve compliance, the authorities intend to strengthen inspections and enforcement. The findings are expected to inform more effective and better-targeted environmental policies, while also helping assess compliance levels and determine penalties for violations.
Higher landfill charges and incentives for recycling
Another measure under consideration is an increase in landfill charges, aimed at making landfilling less attractive than alternative waste management solutions.
The government also plans to propose public policies designed to encourage higher recycling rates and promote the development of a competitive market for circular economy services.
Frăsineanu noted that more than 80% of waste in Romania ends up in landfills. A significant share consists of construction and demolition waste, much of which could potentially be reused instead of being discarded.
The authorities want the sector to be seen not only as an environmental priority but also as an area of economic competitiveness, offering attractive opportunities for businesses operating in the market.
The proposed measures would seek to shift the construction industry towards greater material recovery and reuse, reduce reliance on landfill disposal and strengthen Romania’s transition to a circular economy.
