Retailer Cora to install recycling devices in all of its stores

Retailer Cora has installed recycling devices for used home appliances, electronic devices, plastic bottles and metallic cans in all of its hypermarkets starting yesterday. With the help of Green Group, the retailer offers to those who recycle shopping vouchers which can be used in the retailer’s shops.

People who bring their plastic bottles there will receive vouchers worth RON 0.05 per item and RON 0.03 per item for aluminum cans. For used home appliances, the retailer takes fridges, washing machines, cookers, microwaves, water heaters, vacuum cleaners, air conditioner units, coffee filters, computers, televisions, monitors, printers, mobile and fixed phone, lighting equipments, video consoles, games, etc. For example, a fridge will be bought for RON 0.8 per kg, while for a mobile phone RON 10 per kg will be paid.

Recycling equipment costs EUR 20,000, while the maintenance fees bring its cost to EUR 30,000, which will be invested by recycling companies. The agreement signed with the Environment Ministry is that retailers will cover the cost of vouchers, while the Ministry will cancel the 16 percent tax for the recyclers and the 3 percent tax on recycling aluminum cans.

According to the Environment Ministry, Romanians are currently recycling only 3 percent of their aluminum waste, while the European average is 70 percent. The Ministry has recently launched a project aiming to improve the collection rate of aluminum cans and PETs. Romania’s target for January 2014 is to collect 55 percent of its aluminum cans. Rubbish dumps currently receive 10 tons of aluminum cans a year, according to the Ministry.

Oana Vasiliu

Read more about

Bucharest startup scene maintains positive outlook as economy grows

read more