Generation and recycling of paper, cardboard and glass packaging in Romania: A circular economy perspective

This paper analyzes the evolution of the generation and recycling of paper/cardboard and glass packaging waste from 2005 to 2022 in Romania, highlighting the progress made, the challenges encountered and the prospects for the future. In study, data collected from official sources (Eurostat and the National Institute of Statistics) and processed using SPSS software to analyze macroeconomic trends and their impact on waste management. To assess the relationship between GDPs per capita and packaging waste generation/recycling, our analysis turned to Pearson correlations, identifying significant associations between these variables. The results of the analysis show that, in Romania, GDP per capita influenced paper and glass packaging waste streams (generated and recycled), and that economic growth could have supported more efficient investments in recycling by increasing the recycling rate of paper and glass. We find these associations useful for developing more effective strategies and policies in the context of the circular economy.