Several Budapest districts experience garbage collection disruptions, sparking huge outrage

Residents in several districts of Budapest’s Buda side have been left dealing with overflowing bins after household waste collection reportedly failed for weeks in some areas, prompting sharp criticism from local leaders and growing public frustration.

Several Budapest districts struggle with garbage

Gergely Őrsi, mayor of Budapest’s 2nd district, raised the alarm in a public Facebook post, stating that in multiple streets rubbish had not been collected since around Christmas. According to the mayor, the disruption cannot be fully explained by winter weather conditions, as several affected streets were accessible at the time and had already been cleared by the city’s public cleaning services.

Őrsi has formally contacted Imre Mártha, CEO of MOHU Budapest, the company responsible for waste management, demanding clear answers. Among his questions are when regular waste collection will resume, how the missed collections will be compensated, and whether residents who went up to three weeks without bin emptying will still be charged full service fees, writes Telex.

“This situation is unacceptable,” the mayor argued, stressing that weather alone cannot justify the extent and duration of the disruption. He also noted that complaints have not been limited to the 2nd district, with residents in the 11th and 12th districts reporting similar problems.

The issue has sparked heated reactions online, with locals sharing photos of overflowing bins and expressing concerns over hygiene, pests and unpleasant odours. Some residents say they have continued to leave their bins outside as instructed, only to see collection repeatedly delayed.

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Here’s the reason why waste collection didn’t go properly

In response to media inquiries, MOHU Budapest acknowledged that there were areas on Buda’s hilly terrain where waste collection vehicles were unable to access certain streets following snowfall around New Year’s Eve. According to the company, icy road surfaces and steep inclines made it unsafe for trucks to operate in specific locations, particularly during heavy snowfall earlier in the week.

MOHU stated that waste collection in the 2nd district had otherwise been operating as scheduled after Christmas until weather conditions deteriorated. The company has asked residents to keep their bins outside on the designated collection days and assured them that waste will be removed as soon as road conditions allow.

The firm also emphasised that it is working to organise replacement routes as quickly as possible and to minimise delays whenever access becomes feasible. However, it has called for patience and understanding from residents during periods of extreme winter weather.

Earlier this week, MOHU issued a general public notice warning that prolonged cold, snow and icy conditions can disrupt waste collection services across the city. The company noted that temporary service interruptions may occur in areas where road safety cannot be guaranteed.