New law will make shopping more expensive in Hungary from October

From October, waste management fees will rise again in Hungary. The energy minister’s new decree imposes significant additional costs on manufacturers in several product categories, and these are expected to be passed on to consumers. As a result, shopping will be more expensive from October.

Waste fees will show up in prices

The change goes back to the waste management system launched by the government in 2023. At that time, it was decided that for the next 35 years, the MOL subsidiary MOHU MOL Waste Management Zrt. would handle most of the Hungarian waste market. Along with the concession, the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system was also introduced: its essence is that producers must pay in advance for the cost of handling the waste generated by their products – meaning the collection and recycling of packaging, furniture, electronic devices or even clothing.

These costs are built into company pricing, so shoppers ultimately pay for waste management at checkout. Now, the recently published new decree by Energy Minister Csaba Lantos raises EPR fees further. From October, an even greater burden will fall on producers – and through them, on consumers.

Significant price hikes across multiple areas

From October, the new decree will increase the per-kilogram EPR fee for several materials. Among others:

• wooden furniture: from 17 to 51 forints,
• textile packaging: from 67 to 148 forints,
• glass packaging: from 77 to 107 forints,
• advertising paper: from 94 to 204 forints.

The fees on electronic waste, batteries, lamps and vehicles will also rise.

Disproportionate profit at MOHU

Critics of the waste management system argue that the problem is not financing waste collection itself, but that MOHU achieves far greater profit margins from the fees collected than EU rules would allow. According to some calculations, the company operates with a 70–80 percent margin on certain waste types, while the EU only considers a 9 percent “reasonable profit” justified.

The news outlet Szabad Európa cited paper packaging as an example: from the HUF 173 per kilogram EPR fee, MOHU pays subcontractors only HUF 80–90 for collection and sorting, with the rest staying with the company. Partners speaking to 24.hu also claimed they are being offered worse terms, payments are withheld, and they are pressured to accept unfavourable contracts.

Further changes in MOHU’s system

• Bulky waste: current rules will be reviewed, meaning future large household waste collections may be organised differently.
• Waste yards: new conditions for construction and demolition waste, and stricter limits on the amount of waste that can be delivered.
• Green waste: new rules for the official collection bags, clarifying disposal and pickup.
• Authorisation: clearer rules on how waste can be delivered on someone else’s behalf.

One of the biggest novelties is the introduction of mobile waste yards, mainly to help residents in smaller settlements. These will allow people to hand in larger or special types of waste – such as furniture, electronics or hazardous materials – locally and at scheduled times.

High revenues, yet still in the red

Although MOHU generated around HUF 220 billion in EPR revenues last year, the company still closed 2024 with a loss. According to 24.hu, it accumulated nearly HUF 50 billion in deficits, which contributed to a leadership change: CEO Zsolt Pethő stepped down and new management took over. Since then, the company has been renegotiating contracts with subcontractors, while this year’s revenues are expected to exceed last year’s, especially after the higher fees take effect from October.

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