Construction waste management is becoming a central topic in environmental policy, as the sector generates over 35% of total waste in the European Union, according to Eurostat (2024). Starting in 2025, Romania is required to implement extended standards for selective collection and recycling, in line with the new European regulations on the circular economy.

Through its updated guidelines, the Ministry of the Environment requires developers to prepare waste management plans from the design stage. Under harmonized legislation, at least 70% of waste resulting from construction and demolition must be recovered or recycled, a target monitored by the National Environmental Protection Agency (ANPM) and the National Environmental Guard (GNM).

In practice, companies in the sector will need to implement on-site sorting systems, collaborate with authorized operators, and report regularly on the quantities recycled. Digital waste traceability platforms will become mandatory for public projects valued at over €5 million.

This transition requires investment in infrastructure, but also a shift in mindset across the entire production chain. Compliance with the new obligations is not just a matter of legal alignment, but a strategic opportunity for market differentiation and access to green projects financed through European funds.

(Photo: Freepik)