Romania Waste Sorting Incentive Program
Romania, Eastern Europe
A national behavior change initiative using financial incentives to increase household waste sorting. The program decreased residual waste container sizes and offered lower collection fees for properly sorted waste, resulting in significant increases in recycling participation.
Theme Areas
Behavior Goal
Increase household participation in waste sorting through a combination of positive incentives (lower fees) and structural changes (smaller residual bins) that make sustainable behavior the easier choice.
Methods & Approaches
Implementers & Partners
- Romanian municipalities
- Waste management authorities
Donors & Sponsors
- European Union
- National government
Key Takeaways
- 1Demonstrates effectiveness of financial incentives for recycling behavior
- 2Smaller residual waste containers nudge households toward sorting
- 3Lower fees for sorted waste provide tangible economic benefit
- 4Combines behavioral nudges with policy and infrastructure changes