The Republic of Moldova plans to introduce a deposit-return system for packaging starting January 2027, a mechanism similar to that already in use in Romania - in an investment financed entirely by private companies, Secretary of State with Moldova's Environment Ministry Grigore Stratulat announced on Tuesday.
Speaking at the opening at Bucharest's Romexpo of Green Energy Expo & Romenvirotec, Stratulat said the event reflects the direction the region must follow: green transition, smart environmental infrastructure, and sustainable regional and international cooperation.
"The Republic of Moldova is making strong progress toward European Union integration. This is not only a political goal, but also a transformation goal of the economy, infrastructure, and natural-resource management," Stratulat said.
The Moldovan official highlighted his country's recent advances in sectors such as climate-change policy, waste management, air-quality measures, integrated water-resource management, or extended producer responsibility.
He noted that aligning legislation with EU standards is not enough - as implementation on the ground is essential.
"This is exactly why we are planning and implementing the 'Solid Waste' project in the Republic of Moldova, which will provide integrated waste-management infrastructure across the entire country. It is a national project. In parallel, we are developing the Hazardous Waste Management Center, both of which are major public investments. In addition to these large public investments carried out with the support of the Government of the Republic of Moldova and international financing partners - the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the European Investment Bank - in January 2027 we aim to launch the deposit system for packaging, or, as you call it, the guarantee-return system, which is a private investment financed by private actors. Those who were competitors on the market yesterday must now cooperate and finance environmental infrastructure, without which we cannot meet the collection and recycling targets set in our legislation," Stratulat explained.
Green Energy Expo & Romenvirotec, which takes place at Romexpo until March 5, is the most important event dedicated to sustainable communities. It brings together companies active in green energy, waste management, water management, smart-city solutions, as well as central and local authorities, specialists, associations, and academia.
Officials from the Republic of Moldova attended the official opening, with this year's edition marking the cooperation between the two states in the field of sustainable development.
The focus of the 2026 edition of the exhibition is on concrete solutions and their integration into communities - from large cities to medium- and small-sized local administrations. Pavilion B1 hosts 'The City of the Future - The Living City Experience', which covers 11,000 square meters and functions as an integrated urban demo. The concept brings together solutions for renewable energy, energy efficiency, water infrastructure, waste management, smart lighting, and green urban design, all presented in a practical context.
The area includes an Institutional Agora for dialogue between authorities and companies, a Sustainability Boulevard with real-use demonstrations such as charging stations, traffic sensors, smart pedestrian crossings, and public-space technologies, integrated landscaping with 2,500 plants and shrubs.
Pavilion B2 and the outdoor platforms feature solutions for renewable energy and environmental protection, including waste collection, sorting, recycling, sanitation, and water-management systems.
Entry to the event is free, and visiting hours are March 3 - 4 from 10:00 to 18:00, and March 5 from 10:00 to 16:00.
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