Food packaging company Tetra Pak and supermarket chain Mega Image have begun an eight‑month pilot in the Romanian cities of Bucharest and Brașov to collect used beverage and dairy cartons through reverse vending machines (RVMs). 

The companies are working alongside partners Maspex, Tomra and Brai Cata for the initiative. 

The scheme is the first large-scale European project focused exclusively on collecting carton packaging for soft drinks and dairy products.  

Its stated objectives are to tackle shortcomings in Romania’s existing collection set-up, support the development of consumer habits around returning used packaging and gather information to help shape future infrastructure investments and regulatory changes. 

Tetra Pak will take back all beverage and dairy cartons placed on the market, regardless of brand or manufacturer, through the RVM network operated with Mega Image and the other partners.  

Consumers in Bucharest and Brașov can deposit used packs in machines installed in selected Mega Image outlets and receive one 0.5lei ($0.11) voucher per returned carton, which can be used in any store in the retailer’s network. 

The machines accept drink and dairy cartons of up to 2 litres, including packs for products such as milk, plant-based beverages, juices, liquid cream and whipping cream.  

To be accepted by the system, packaging must be empty, clean, uncrushed, display a clear and readable barcode and retain its cap. 

The trial covers six Mega Image locations in Brașov and one in Bucharest. The partners have set a collection goal of one million cartons over the pilot period.  

After this, they will review the collected data, publish findings and decide whether to continue the initiative in its current form or extend the RVM network.