Attached caps have become mandatory for all PET bottles. The reason for this measure
PET bottles with plastic caps can only be introduced to the market if the caps remain attached to the containers. This measure, implemented by the European Union last year, became mandatory in Romania starting July 3rd.
While some customers have criticized this regulation, producers have invested significant amounts to comply.
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The introduction of attached caps on water and soft drink bottles has sparked a heated debate. However, after more than half a year, people have become accustomed to them.
"- Kind of annoying, but we need to think about nature.
- Do you tend to break it off?
- Yes!".
"It doesn't bother me; in the end, everyone throws them on the ground or breaks the caps and throws them somewhere. Those who are annoyed by those caps will throw them away".
"You get used to it. I think people are annoyed now at the beginning. But in a few months, it will be fine".
Until now, many caps never made it to recycling.
Mihnea Matache, Greenpeace: "It's important to know that plastic is a very durable material, with an estimated lifespan of around 1,000 years. Over these 1,000 years, it disintegrates into what we now call microplastics and nanoplastics. When these end up in water, soil, groundwater, they automatically make their way into our food - vegetables, fruits, fish, any food connected to these ecosystems. Their impact on us is still being researched, but they are correlated with a higher probability of stroke or heart issues and have been found in almost all parts of the human body, including blood".
Romanians are starting to make a source of income from recycling PETs
Another argument from researchers is that, most of the time, animals mistake caps for food, and each year, over 100,000 animals die because of plastic discarded by humans in nature. Additionally, it's estimated that millions of plastic caps end up in the oceans annually, endangering marine life.
On the other hand, the recycling of packaging through the RetuRO system has reduced the number of PET bottles and cans carelessly thrown on sidewalks or in nature. In June alone, 325 million containers were taken to recycling machines in stores.
"I come once a week, I think, about 20 lei, something like that. I have fun with my child because I let her do it, and she enjoys it a lot".
"I brought them and keep bringing them because they clutter my house, and I get my money back".
Romania ranks among the lowest when it comes to recycling and risks missing its 2025 targets.
