• Tetra Pak and Mega Image, together with partners Maspex, TOMRA and Brai Cata, have expanded the first pilot project in Europe dedicated to the collection of carton packaging for soft drinks and dairy products, by installing 12 RVM machines in Bucharest and the surrounding areas. Following this expansion, consumers now have 15 return points for used packaging in the two cities where the pilot project is taking place. Each correctly returned package is rewarded with a 0,5 RON voucher.
Bucharest, April 28, 2026. Based on the results obtained from the launch of the pilot project, Tetra Pak and Mega Image, together with partners Maspex, TOMRA and Brai Cata, decided to expand the collection network for carton packaging for soft drinks and dairy products, in order to respond to the increased interest of consumers and the high level of involvement demonstrated by them in supporting recycling.
The success of the initiative is also reflected in the data obtained through the RVMs already installed. In the first four months of the project's implementation, over 357.000 cardboard packaging were returned. The seven RVMs initially installed have seen accelerated month-on-month growth, with developments of up to 200%, confirming the rapid adoption of this initiative and the growing interest of the public.
The success of the pilot program
The results indicate solid performance in both cities included in the pilot. In Brașov, the number of packaging collected doubled in the first two months of the project's operation, contributing to an increase from 31% in December 2025 to 37% in March 2026 of the total packaging collected. At the same time, the results recorded at the return point in Bucharest confirmed the need to expand the network in the Capital, where more than 60% of cardboard packaging for soft drinks and dairy products is collected.
"The decision to expand the first pilot project in Europe dedicated to the collection of cardboard packaging for beverages and dairy products is based not only on the volumes recorded, but especially on the way consumers responded to this initiative. We have thus managed to offer Romanians more opportunities to return packaging and be rewarded for their interest in recycling. We thank our partners in Mega Image for supporting this initiative, by making the new RVMs and the space necessary to install them in accessible locations available. The expansion of the network brings benefits to everyone involved: it facilitates consumer access, contributes to increasing collection rates and supports the efficiency of the project." - Ștefan Urziceanu, Sustainability Manager, Tetra Pak, for Romania, Croatia, Slovenia, Bulgaria and Moldova.
“Our customers have clearly demonstrated, through their actions, that they want to recycle when they have simple, accessible and smart solutions at their disposal. This positive response encourages us to expand the project in Bucharest, to make the collection of beverage cartons easier and more convenient for as many people as possible. At Mega Image, we constantly focus on innovation and identifying practical solutions, so that recycling becomes a natural part of our customers’ everyday experience, while contributing to a cleaner environment.” - Gabriela Sîrbu, Sustainability Director at Mega Image.
Based on the return behavior observed in the two cities included in the project (Brașov and Bucharest), the initially installed machines were redistributed and supplemented to better respond to consumer demand. Thus, 12 RVMs were placed in the Capital and surrounding areas, in selected Mega Image stores, which led to the network increasing to 11 return points in Bucharest and Ilfov. Two RVMs were installed in the Mega Image Piața Sudului store to manage the high volumes of returned packaging, contributing to the optimization of collection capacity and highlighting the flexibility and ability of the network to quickly adjust according to consumer behavior.
Multiple return points
In Brașov, consumers can continue to return cardboard packaging for beverages and dairy products through the four existing RVMs, located in four local stores (the list of return points is available below and on the website). tetrapak.com).
The first pilot project in Europe dedicated to the collection of beverage and dairy cartons was launched in Romania at the end of November 2025 and runs for an eight-month period. Consumers can return beverage and dairy cartons up to 2 liters, regardless of brand, and receive a 0,5 lei voucher for each returned package. The packages must be emptied of content, clean, uncrushed, with a visible barcode and with the lid attached to the package.
By focusing exclusively on this type of packaging, the pilot project aims to support the formation of new return habits among consumers and generate relevant data for optimizing the collection infrastructure.
Approximately 70% of Tetra Pak packaging is made from FSC-certified, sustainably sourced cardboard, with the remainder mainly made up of polymers and, in the case of aseptic packaging, a thin layer of aluminium. This protects the contents from light, oxygen and microorganisms, maintaining the quality of the products for longer, without the need for refrigeration or the use of preservatives.
Recent Tetra Pak innovations include the development of a paper-based barrier that can replace the aluminum layer without compromising food safety or product quality, making it possible to create packaging with a renewable content of over 90%.
Complete list of collection points:
Bucharest – Ilfov:
- Mega Image TITULESCU, Nicolae Titulescu Blvd., no. 39-49;
- Mega Image SOUTH MARKET, Olteniței Road, no. 208;
- Mega Image PUCHENI, Pucheni Street, no. 42;
- Mega Image VITAN MARKET, Vitan Street, no. 13-19;
- Mega Image DRISTOR, Camil Ressu Blvd. no. 7
- Mega Image PALEOLOGUS, Calea Mosilor no. 101
- Mega Image SISESTI, Gheorghe Ionescu Sisești Street no. 8A;
- Mega Image TITLE 2, Nicolae Titulescu Street no. 94
- Mega Image GIURGIULI 2, Giurgiului Road no. 52-54
- Mega Image LEORDENI POPES 2, Olteniței Road, no. 19-19A, Popești Leordeni;
- Mega Image FARM ROAD, Drumul Fermei Street, no. 28A, Popești–Leordeni;
Brasov:
- Mega Image CARPATHIAN, 60 Carpathians Street;
- Mega Image BUCHAREST ROAD, Berzei Street, no. 2A;
- Mega Image ZIZIN, Zizinului Street, no. 65;
- Mega Image MONII, 6 Lunii Street, Brașov.
About Tetra Pak
Tetra Pak is a global leader in food processing and packaging solutions. Together with our customers and suppliers, we ensure access to safe and nutritious food for hundreds of millions of people in over 160 countries every day.
With over 24.000 employees worldwide, we are dedicated to the mission of providing safe and affordable food anywhere in the world, staying true to our commitment to protecting what matters: food, people and the planet.
More information about Tetra Pak is available at: www.tetrapak.com.
Article source: Tetra Pak Press Release
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