Cluj‑Napoca Opens Romania’s First Large Voluntary Waste‑Collection Center

Romania inaugurated its first large voluntary waste‑collection centre (CAV) in Cluj‑Napoca. The 1.4‑hectare facility accepts bulky items, used furniture, mattresses, tyres, construction debris and electronic equipment, and provides free drop‑off for residents who present an ID. It was built with over 27.4 million lei (plus VAT) financed through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) and EU funds, amounting to more than 4 million euros. Minister of Environment Diana Buzoianu said the centre resolves long‑standing disposal problems, reduces illegal dumping and feeds recyclable materials back into the local economy.

The Cluj centre is the flagship of a national programme to create a network of similar voluntary collection sites. Hundreds of smaller CAVs are slated for construction across Romania under the same PNRR financing, aiming to raise recycling rates, support the circular‑economy model and lower waste‑management costs nationwide.