Recycle-to-ride scheme implemented in Cluj-Napoca

The Romanian city of Cluj-Napoca has implemented a policy bringing together sustainable mobility and recycling. Residents will receive a free bus ticket if they recycle containers at one of several, special local recycling points. The initiative is a good example of incentivising and enabling sustainable behaviour amongst residents, which will be important moving forward, as the city is one of three Romanian cities that have been selected for the EU's '100 climate neutral and smart cities by 2030' mission.  

The recycling points will accept all plastic containers of less than 3 litres in volume and glass containers of less than 1.5 litres, as long as they have been fully emptied, washed and have their labels still intact. After a resident has put 15 acceptable pieces of recycling into the recycling point, it will issue the person with a two-way public transport ticket.

The recycling points opened on 1 August. The scheme follows a number of other innovative initiatives by the city council to encourage residents to use public transport network alongside providing other benefits. For example, the city has previously incentivised the uptake of public transport by requiring residents to squat 20 times for a free public transport ticket. Last year the council facilitated public transport journeys through a ‘Green Friday’ scheme, during which public transport was free every Friday.

The original article was posted on the The Mayor website on 26 July 2022.