Dana Chitucescu

Dana Chitucescu, a 51-year-old resident of Pianu de Jos, Romania, has become a notable figure in her community for actively participating in the country's innovative deposit return system. Every week, she collects empty PET bottles, cans, and glass containers, earning around 40 leu from recycling, which she uses to support her seven cats. Her efforts reflect a broader national shift towards environmental responsibility, as Romania's recycling rates have dramatically improved since the introduction of the deposit return scheme, turning the country from one of the lowest recyclers in the EU to a leader in beverage packaging recycling.