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Waste Management – Inspiration from Bucharest for Local Solutions

• 27. 3. 2026

In November, the Regional Development Agency of the Ljubljana Urban Region visited Bucharest as part of the Clear Cities Interreg Europe project to explore a range of good practices in waste management. These insights were subsequently shared with local stakeholders involved in the Think Tank for New Resources — a constructive partnership established by RRA LUR within the project and active for the past two years. Within this forum, participants discuss each practice in depth and consider its potential for implementation in the local environment. 

A European project for better waste management

The CLEAR CITIES project promotes more efficient waste management, the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, waste prevention and reuse. Together with representatives of cities and regions from seven countries, RRA LUR exchanges knowledge and good practices that can be incorporated into improved policies for more sustainable urban environments.

These insights are also shared with key local stakeholders connected through the so-called Think Tank for New Resources in the Ljubljana Urban Region. Members include waste management operators (JP Voka Snaga), reuse organisations (Smetumet, Destilator, Knof, etc.) and representatives of the support environment (Technology Park Ljubljana, the City of Ljubljana, the Slovenian Circular Economy Centre, etc.), who jointly discuss possibilities for transferring these practices into the regional context.

The latest meeting followed a study visit to Bucharest in November and brought the Think Tank for New Resources together again on 19 March 2026 at Zavod Pod strehco, a social enterprise where older people can receive a warm meal every working day, prepared from food close to its expiry date, donated by LIDL. The meeting was also held in the context of the International Day of Zero Waste, which the United Nations, the global organisation addressing key world challenges, celebrates on 30 March.

 

The RetuRO deposit return system

Among the practices presented, Romania’s RetuRO deposit return system stood out – a public-private partnership between the state, beverage producers and retailers that manages the national beverage packaging return scheme. The system employs more than 800 people and, within a year, increased the return rate for beverage packaging from around 38% to more than 85%.

The discussion among Slovenian stakeholders showed that such a system would not have a significant effect in Slovenia, where high separate collection rates are already being achieved. It addresses only part of the packaging stream, while the existing infrastructure and the good habits of residents already ensure a high rate of waste separation. A much greater potential lies in strengthening reuse systems, especially returnable packaging.

The discussion also touched on a system currently being established at national level for the sustainable organisation of events. This system will promote the use of reusable cups available for hire, under clear rules and guaranteed hygiene standards.

 

 

Abandoned bicycles as an opportunity for reuse

Particular interest was sparked by a practice from the City of Gothenburg, where the municipality, in cooperation with managers of public buildings and bicycle repair providers, implemented an interesting pilot project. Abandoned bicycles were systematically collected, sorted and redirected either for reuse or for spare parts, with most of the 615 bicycles returned to use. With a favourable financial structure, the pilot project showed that even this waste stream can become a resource, and the city is already exploring a systemic model for the long-term implementation of this low-cost initiative.

Although this issue is not widespread in Ljubljana, the discussion highlighted the potential introduction of a voucher system as a meaningful solution. Such a system, supported by the city or the state, could connect citizens with repair providers and encourage repairs as well as a longer lifespan for products.

 

A Slovenian example: company Bolje turning waste oil into a resource

In Romania, a Slovenian initiative by the company Bolje was presented this time as an example of good practice. The company collects used cooking oil from households for conversion into biodiesel. It complements this activity with socially inclusive workshops for children and older people, where participants make candles from waste oil. In this way, waste is transformed into a useful product while also raising awareness of its environmental impact.

 

 

 

 

Sharing good ideas with businesses and the wider public

The partnership, now enriched by two new members – Maja Modrijan, creator of the Destilator sustainable fashion brand of clothes and accessories made from waste denim and other waste materials, and Nevia Paulić, representative of the Slovenian Circular Economy Centre – aims to bring inspiring practices closer to businesses and the wider public.

In the coming months, they will design an event dedicated to new knowledge and to connecting companies with sustainable initiatives. They want to encourage the development of sustainable business gifts and explore solutions for how companies can give new life to their own waste materials. They will also offer a range of knowledge-sharing activities and practical workshops for the general public.

The meeting once again confirmed how important cooperation between the public sector, businesses and creators is in the search for effective solutions for more sustainable cities.