Auchan Romania Surpasses 1.7 Million liters of used cooking oiil collected 7 years after launching its recycling program

Nearly a quarter of the total volume collected since the program’s launch was brought in by customers during the past year alone. This growth reflects increasing awareness among consumers about the environmental impact of improper disposal of used cooking oil and the importance of accessible recycling infrastructure.

In 2025 alone, Auchan Romania collected over 400,000 liters of used cooking oil, helping prevent the contamination of more than 400 billion liters of water. Used cooking oil disposed of in household drains or waste systems can have a severe environmental impact, making collection and recycling initiatives critical in reducing pollution and protecting water resources.

“Although the environmental impact of used cooking oil is significant, its collection remains limited at the national level. Our experience shows that change is possible when accessible infrastructure, strong partnerships, and mechanisms that encourage customer participation are in place. We thank our partners who joined this collective effort, and we hope that such initiatives will multiply and be supported through collaboration between Auchan, its partners, and consumers, so that oil recycling becomes a common practice on a much larger scale,” said Corina Dospinoiu-Imre, Sustainability Director at Auchan Romania.

Since the program’s launch seven years ago, the retailer and its partners have offered more than 1.4 million products as incentives to customers participating in the initiative. At the same time, the number of people who have taken part in recycling used cooking oil has surpassed 1.3 million.

Last year, the stores that recorded the largest collected quantities included locations in Cluj Nord, Militari, Berceni, Galați, and Satu Mare, highlighting the growing engagement of customers across multiple regions of the country.

The oil collected through the program is handled by a specialized partner responsible for transport and initial processing. It is then integrated into the production chain that converts used oil into biofuel, a process that helps prevent water contamination while also contributing to the reduction of carbon emissions.

By continuing to invest in circular economy solutions and consumer engagement, Auchan Romania is positioning itself as an active contributor to sustainability efforts in the retail sector and a catalyst for wider environmental responsibility in the Romanian market.