Danube will become poisonous in Budapest due to abandoned factory?
The Óbuda Gas Works began operation on 15 June 1914. At that time, it was one of the most advanced gas factories. But now it seems they might poison the River Danube, Budapest’s famous blue ribbon.
According to index.hu, Democratic Coalition, the most-supported Hungarian opposition party, raised the attention that the government should start the purification process of the former territory of the Óbuda Gas Works. Olivio Kocsis-Cake, a party commissioner, said that poisonous substances get into the River Danube from the former factory. Greenpeace took samples and said harmful, carcinogenic materials leak into the Danube from there.
The politician said the government should act on the issue because the amount of toxic chemicals exceeds health-based values ten- or even hundredfold.
The territory is in the ownership of a state-owned company. However, the government regularly postpones the start date of purification. The current one is April 2026.
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New Hungarian children’s drink debuts with surprising benefits
Hell Energy, the famous energy drink company, is set to launch a new range of children’s drinks under the brand name Sunnywood Farms. But what distinguishes it from other kid-friendly beverages?
Exclusively Hungarian milk, no preservatives or artificial coloring
This exciting product is poised to hit the shelves in sixty countries, Index reports. The Sunnywood Farms distinguishes itself by using only Hungarian milk, a testament to the company’s commitment to quality and local sourcing. What sets it apart even further is its commitment to health-conscious choices. The drinks will contain no preservatives or artificial coloring.
Animated short films and fantasy adventures
As we wrote before, Hell Energy likes to experiment with various innovations, including the help of AI when developing their drinks. This time, to complement the launch, Sunnywood Farms plans to immerse children in a fabulous fantasy world through animated short films. These films will narrate the enchanting adventures of Bruno the bull and his companions, adding an extra layer of engagement to the product. Consequently, the company aims not just to provide a beverage but to create a memorable experience for its young consumers.
Chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry in recyclable cans
Hell Energy’s statement reveals that the new children’s drinks will be available in three delightful flavors: chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry. The company shows commitment to providing a safe and environmentally conscious product. Sunnywood Farms will package their beverages in 250 ml aluminum cans with a fully BPA-free inner coating. This not only aligns with environmental concerns but also ensures a high milk content, marking a first in Hungary.
Emphasising milk in children’s diets
Sunnywood Farms takes the opportunity to remind consumers about the nutritional significance of milk and dairy products. Referencing national nutrition recommendations from Okostányér, the company underlines the importance of three daily portions of milk or equivalent dairy products for 6-17 year olds. This aligns with previous guidelines advocating for 0.5 liters of milk per day, emphasising the calcium content crucial for growing children.
From iced coffee to children’s drinks
Dóra Szekeres, Senior Brand Manager, expresses the brand’s confidence in entering the children’s beverage market. Szekeres reflects on the success of their four-year-old HELL Ice Coffee brand. Additionally, she mentions the high-quality, diverse product portfolio, and market leadership achieved in various countries. The launch of Sunnywood Farms marks the culmination of five years of planning.
As Sunnywood Farms prepares to debut in mid-November, it not only introduces a new product but opens a door to a world of imagination and nutrition for children globally.
Budapest’s newest orchard ready to welcome visitors
In a celebration of urban greenery, Budapest welcomes a flourishing addition to its landscape. The opening of the capital’s second orchard not only enriches the city’s biodiversity but also invites residents to connect with nature in the heart of Kubala László Park.
Growing green spaces
In a recent announcement on Facebook, Főkert shared the completion of Budapest’s second orchard in Kubala László Park, located in the XIII. district. This exciting green initiative follows the successful establishment of the city’s first orchard in Pünkösdfürdő Park in Óbuda last spring. The new orchard boasts a variety of fruit trees, including apple, cherry, walnut, apricot and plum, as stated in a Telex article.
Orchard variety and sustainability
The orchard in Kubala László Park showcases a selection of trees, with an array of 24 varieties, including pears, plums, sour cherries, different types of apples, medlar, cherries, almonds and quince. What sets these trees apart is their resilience, being native and resistant varieties that require minimal intervention. They are not sprayed but are carefully pruned each spring. The orchard’s ecosystem thrives with the strategic planting of currant bushes and a sprinkling of seed mix. Beyond the fruit-bearing aspect, the orchard contributes to the local biodiversity, attracting insects and birds to the area.
Addressing social needs through orchard planting
András Zakar, the director general of the horticultural division of Budapest Public Utilities, highlighted a not-so-secret purpose behind the orchard. With rising inflation and economic challenges faced by some families in the area, the orchard provides a solution. There are signs urging responsible picking. However, the organisers trust the community to ensure the orchard remains a shared resource.
“Although the orchard is not planted for social purposes, children and adults who play football, games or bike rides can safely pick an apple or pear.”
Zakar explained.
Future plans for Budapest’s fruitful parks
This initiative isn’t confined to Kubala László Park alone. Fruit trees have found a home in other Budapest parks, such as Tabán and Gazdagrét. In Tabán, five fruit trees were planted in spring 2021, and plans include adding more in the coming years. Similarly, cherry trees have graced the Kaptató footpath in Gazdagrét, with intentions to plant more on the iconic Gellért Hill this year.
As we wrote before, barely a quarter of Hungarian forests are healthy. Consequently, it has become highly important to focus on having more green spaces throughout the country. Budapest’s commitment to urban orchards not only enriches the city’s green spaces but also addresses social and environmental needs, creating a more sustainable and accessible urban environment for all its residents. If this topic sparked your interest, read about Budapest’s park that represented Hungary in Green Cities Europe contest HERE.
Hungarian opposition files complaint over waste management at Samsung plant
The opposition Párbeszéd-Zöldek is filing a complaint over suspected violation of waste management rules by the Samsung plant in Göd near Budapest and asked the chief public prosecutor to investigate it, the leader of the party’s European parliamentary list said on Tuesday.
Benedek Jávor told an online press conference that according to an environmental review, the plant’s operation had been “practically continually irregular” in recent years and it was still impossible to ensure that it could operate without violating environmental threshold values.
The Hungarian party has previously called on the authorities to withdraw the factory’s operational permit, Jávor said. A response Samsung SDI has given to numerous concerns failed to address issues concerning air pollution, noise and water use, he added.
As a result, Párbeszéd believes the plant’s lawful operation cannot be guaranteed, he said.
Samsung SDI has failed to clarify what happens with the 40,000 tonnes of waste produced, partially including hazardous waste, he added.
Marketing for green company: 6 tactics to attract eco-conscious customers and employees
Sponsored content
Promoting a Green company in this contemporary competitive market is crucial. If you do not go for sustainability, someone else will. We are in such a difficult environmental condition that we are bound to promote sustainability today or tomorrow.
Undoubtedly, global warming, huge waste, and carbon emissions are at their peak. This era is seeing the worst of all. Flooding, cloud bursts, increases in temperature, melting glaciers, and forest fires are all happening at once.
This is a critical condition that needs special attention. Well, global warming or other environmental conditions are not new, but most of us were unaware of it until we found the bad impacts of it on our environment.
We all know that we are already late in caring for our environment. Now, it is time to take prominent steps. Well, here comes the importance of business in our society. Without the prominence of business, our society will not grow.
Whatever development you see in society is because of business and innovation. So, there is no going back, and people are very much dependent on business. In such circumstances, it is the responsibility of the employees and employers of every business to take care of the society while maintaining sustainability and promoting Green business.
Tricks To Enchant Eco-Conscious Customers And Employees
In the contemporary world, environmental sustainability has become an increasingly important topic. As a result, businesses are held accountable for their environmental impact. Eco-conscious customers and employees are becoming more prevalent, and they expect companies to be socially responsible.
Companies must adopt eco-friendly practices to meet these expectations and ensure that their customers and employees know them.
Here, we will focus on and deliver some tricks that businesses can use to enchant eco-conscious customers and employees while also doing their part to protect the environment.
Focus On Key Environmental Issues Important In Your Industry
You can attract more eco-conscious customers and employees by prioritizing the important environmental issues in your industry. This helps protect the environment and positions your brand as a socially responsible and ethical business, which can be a major competitive advantage in today’s market.
The more you focus on environmental issues, the more people will understand that you have a genuine approach to solving the issues. This is a prominent approach to attract them and consider them in your business process.
Become Green Business Certified And Display It
Becoming green business certified is a significant step that any Green company can take to attract like-minded consumers and employees. By becoming certified, your company can demonstrate its commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.
Green business certification is a rigorous process that involves meeting strict criteria related to energy and resource conservation, pollution reduction, waste management, and social responsibility.
Once certified, your company can display the certification on its website, marketing materials, and storefront, which can help attract eco-conscious customers and employees who are looking for socially responsible and environmentally friendly businesses.
In addition to attracting eco-conscious customers and employees, becoming green business certified can also provide other benefits such as cost savings through energy and resource efficiency, improved brand reputation, and compliance with environmental regulations.
Therefore, if you are running a Green company, it is highly recommended that you become green business certified and display the certification prominently to attract eco-conscious customers and employees.
Create A Dedicated Page For Sustainability On Your Website
Creating a dedicated page for sustainability on your website can be a great way to attract eco-conscious consumers and employees.
By highlighting your company’s commitment to sustainability and environmentally friendly practices, you can differentiate yourself from competitors and appeal to those who prioritize sustainable business practices.
Be sure to include information about your company’s sustainability initiatives, such as energy and water conservation efforts, use of eco-friendly materials, and waste reduction strategies. You can also showcase any certifications or awards your Green company has received for its sustainability efforts.
A sustainability page can help you connect with like-minded individuals and position your company as a leader in sustainable business practices. Consider the GlobalBusinessDiary blog to understand current market trends better and manage your dedicated page more efficiently.
Make Sustainability A Theme On Company Social Media Channels
To attract eco-conscious consumers and employees, it is crucial to make sustainability a theme on your company’s social media channels. By highlighting your company’s commitment to sustainability and environmentally friendly practices on social media, you can differentiate yourself from competitors and appeal to those who prioritize sustainable business practices.
Share posts about your company’s sustainability initiatives, such as energy and water conservation, the use of eco-friendly materials, and waste reduction strategies. You can also showcase any certifications or awards your company has received for its sustainability efforts.
Additionally, you can show customers the impact they make by choosing your company. For instance, you can share how much carbon emissions are reduced or how much waste is saved by choosing your eco-friendly products or services.
Making sustainability a theme on your company’s social media channels can help you connect with like-minded individuals and position your company as a leader in sustainable business practices.
Show Customers The Impact They Make By Choosing Your Company
It is time to show your impact on the consumers and convince your employees that you are running with sustainability. Let them understand the fact that if they choose to go with your Green company, they will likely entertain green business with ease.
Be committed to sustainability, and your products/services must reflect that. You and your employees can together create a better future for our planet.
Avoid Greenwashing In Your Marketing
Try to steer clear of greenwashing when promoting your brand to eco-conscious consumers and employees. Misleading them with false claims about your environmentally friendly products or services can harm your reputation and negatively impact the environment.
It’s important to be transparent and honest about your sustainability efforts and clearly communicate how your products or services benefit the environment.
This can help you build trust among your target audience and attract loyal customers and employees committed to positively impacting the environment.
Try not to overshadow things or overdo anything. Following these tricks can be helpful in managing and promoting your Green business.
Hungarian companies becoming more future-conscious
Hungarian companies are becoming more future-conscious; however, their motivation is different from that of foreign companies.
Four out of five industrial companies in Hungary use the help of a sustainability expert to achieve their green goals. The activities that enhance sustainability are mostly focused on waste management (95%), energy efficiency (85%), and water management (78%), as the recent survey conducted by Siemens Zrt. reveals.
The companies surveyed mostly pay attention to environmentally responsible operations and do their part in social responsibility; however, they point out the lack of resources as the main obstacle: almost half (45%) have applied for external support to achieve sustainability goals. Sustainability is therefore an increasingly important issue for domestic firms, but their underlying motivation is different from that of companies with foreign ownership.
Survey by Siemens Zrt.
Siemens Zrt. conducted a comprehensive survey (in-depth interviews and questionnaires) among Hungarian industrial companies with more than 20 employees or a turnover of HUF 1 billion. The survey revealed that sustainability plays a key role in the lives of Hungarian companies, and they are trying to keep future awareness in mind in their daily operations. The larger the market share, the more likely a company is to devote significant energy to environmental awareness and social responsibility, and organize its related activities around a central strategy. Overall, 54% of the survey respondents have a sustainability system/policy in place, and 80% work with a full-time/part-time (17%) or external (30%) expert, or have someone in-house (33%).
Slowly but surely – the lack of resources is the biggest challenge
In terms of sustainability, 59% of responding companies have short-term plans and 42% have long-term plans, with a general focus on waste management (95%), energy efficiency (85%), and reducing water and air pollution (78%), while it is also increasingly important to preserve biodiversity (61%), use verifiable resources (58%), and develop products with sustainability in mind (57%).
Companies are satisfied with their own efforts, with two-thirds saying that they are doing similarly to their competitors in this area, and one in five thinking they are doing more than the other market players to ensure a sustainable future. The vast majority of the surveyed firms also claim to be involved in corporate social responsibility, mainly through charities and sports organizations.
“According to their own admission, Hungarian industrial companies have so far achieved the greatest results in the fields of installing solar panel systems, selective waste collection, and reducing water consumption, but sustainable procurement is also playing an increasingly important role: more than two-thirds (70%) of companies take this into account when selecting their supplier partners,” says András Simon, energy efficiency expert at Siemens Zrt.
One in five of the companies surveyed sees the lack of resources as the biggest problem, and 14% expressed that there are no or not enough tenders for sustainability investments, meaning they are looking for external help to improve their own sustainability. At the same time, the more people a company employs, the lower the proportion who say that their sustainability investments are hindered by financial constraints, high investment costs, or lack of tenders.
Foreign firms are still leading in terms of perception
The survey also asked what factors influence companies to develop or improve their sustainability policies. Respondents cite the media (43%) and the information and trends it makes available, as well as professional contacts and channels (41%) as a source of inspiration, but it also turns out that in many cases, guidance comes from management (36%) or head office (33%).
It is important to note that domestic firms are still primarily motivated by external pressures to achieve sustainability goals, mainly with regulatory requirements (44%), followed by business interests (19%) and societal/customer expectations (16%).
This differs quite a lot from companies with foreign ownership, which have a much higher proportion of sustainability experts and strategies, as well as short- and long-term objectives, and are driven more by internal expectations and real commitment. Among them, there is also a strong owner-investor expectation, as the European Union will introduce new corporate ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance Framework) reporting requirements in a phased approach from 2024, which will also be an important assessment criterion for bank financing in the future.
We are just familiarizing with the carbon footprint
The survey revealed an interesting finding about the calculation and importance of the carbon footprints, with 39% of respondents saying that corporate information on carbon footprints will be a competitive advantage in the future, while 73% had not yet done such a calculation. Furthermore, only one in ten industrial companies can say how big their carbon footprint is, and nearly half of the respondents do not care how much their products pollute the environment.
Companies at the forefront of this issue are almost invariably aware of the concept because they provide data on the issue to the foreign parent company. Thus, there is room for improvement, but it is also clear from the survey that sustainability is an increasingly important issue for domestic companies as well.
“There are a number of simple, practical steps that any market player can take to succeed in the long term in a world with a sustainable vision. Companies are already taking steps to achieve this: they are paying attention to waste collection and recycling, smart water management, energy efficiency, or even optimizing the number and frequency of business trips – all of which are cost-cutting factors as well.
It is important to note that a more comprehensive approach will be needed in our country to make a real breakthrough. It will be more and more important to increase employee education and overall organizational commitment, and to set specific metrics for short- and long-term goals, but digital developments such as product-level carbon footprint calculations and communicating them to customers will also be of great help. This can also be a competitive advantage to attract more conscious consumers,” adds energy efficiency expert András Simon.
Featured image: illustration
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Rapid deterioration: Barely a quarter of Hungarian forests healthy
Tree mortality in Hungary is dramatic. In less than ten years, the proportion of asymptomatic trees has halved. Overall, barely a quarter of Hungarian forests are healthy.
Unhealthy forests
According to a report by the European Environment Agency, the proportion of dead canopy trees in the European Union has doubled since the late 20th century. One in four trees is losing moderate to severe foliage, and the rate of defoliation is increasing.
The loss of trees in Hungary is dramatic, G7 writes. In less than ten years, the proportion of asymptomatic trees has decreased by 50%. As unbelievable as it sounds, only 3% of black pines and 6.5% of pedunculate oaks are healthy. Climate change is also expected to cause the disappearance of pines and beeches from Hungary.
Why are healthy trees important?
The health of trees is key to the survival of forest ecosystems, plant and animal habitats. Moreover, healthy forests help clean water and air. This can mitigate the effects of climate change. The economic aspect is also considerable. The average loss due to deterioration is around 79 million cubic metres per year in the EU. This represents 16% of the EU’s annual wood harvest.
Across Europe, the rate of tree canopy loss is accelerating at 1.5% per year, double the rate at the end of the last century. It now affects 1% of the EU’s forest area.
Forest fires in Hungary
Forest fires also decimate wooded areas. In Hungary, more forest area was burnt last summer than in all the forest fires of the last 14 years combined.
What to expect?
The acceleration of canopy loss would change the current ageing trend of European forests, G7 writes based on the report. This has implications for carbon sequestration capacities and biodiversity, as mature forests store large amounts of carbon and provide valuable habitats.
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Hungarian companies more and more ‘future conscious’
Fully four-fifths of Hungary’s companies employ sustainability experts and over half of the respondents in a recent survey by Siemens Hungary said they had a sustainability system or policy, according to the report published on Thursday.
Activities aimed at sustainability focus primarily on waste management (95 percent), energy efficiency (85 percent) and water management (78 percent).
The survey was conducted among Hungarian companies with annual revenues above HUF 1 billion (EUR 2.6m) and with at least 20 employees.
Two-thirds of respondents said their environmental activities were comparable to their competitors, while 20 percent said they were doing more for sustainability than other companies.
Here is when Hungary could be climate neutral
The opposition LMP is submitting an amendment proposal to parliament to tighten the targets in Hungary’s climate law, as the government’s policy has “failed”, party board member Örs Tetlák said on Tuesday.
Under the proposal, greenhouse gas emissions would be cut by 60% by 2030, instead of the currently targeted 40%, Tetlák told a press conference. Energy consumption would be cut by 25% and the ratio of sustainable energy sources would be raised by 40% from 21% by the same year, he said.
That way, Hungary could be climate neutral by 2045 rather than 2050, he said.
Tetlák, the deputy mayor of Érd near Budapest, also called for a government-subsidised programme to insulate homes with a view of cutting utility and energy consumption. With an investment of 600 billion forints (EUR 1.6bn), at least 100,000 households could be insulated a year, he said.
Tetlák called for banning further battery plants and ending the government’s “car-centered policy”. Further, water management should see a fundamental reform and made independent from the government, and large farmlands should be replaced with small family farms using soil-friendly methods, he said.
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Hungarian opposition calls on govt to withdraw decree exempting polluters
Opposition LMP has urged the government to withdraw its decree exempting polluting companies from fully adhering to environmental protection rules, insisting that certain exemptions could still apply to battery plants.
László Lóránt Keresztes, chairman of parliament’s sustainable development committee, told a press conference that the government claim that battery plants and other dangerous manufacturers operating in Hungary must comply with strict environmental rules was “deceitful”.
According to the government decree, any polluter can be exempted from the legal consequences of pollution by concluding a contract, LMP politician said, adding that even though the government promised to change the decree to exclude battery plants from waivers, it had not done so.
Also the decree, he said, may apply in the case of ongoing legal disputes and fines.
The LMP politician said that as long as the government decree was in force, any company could escape being fined, and the party demanded the decree’s withdrawal.
Hungary to preserve utility price caps
During the European Union’s process to determine climate goals, Hungary will remain committed to preserving utility price caps and other support for citizens, the state secretary for the environment and sustainable economy said late on Monday.
After attending a meeting of the EU’s Environment Council (ENV), Anikó Raisz said the meeting failed to finalise a joint stance for the upcoming UN climate conference (COP28).
Debate was “sharp” on ways for a green transition while maintaining competitiveness, she said.
Hungary’s “realistic” stance aims to find the most effective way to fulfil all obligations, she said. It rejects to support commitments that seem unlikely to be implemented, she added.
An especially important issue for Hungary is to thwart the “unrealistic expectation” to turn all city buses zero emissions by 2035, Raisz said.
She highlighted the importance of the agreement on global plastic waste, and noted that Hungary was making efforts to clean its rivers, contributing to cleaner oceans.
Meanwhile, Hungary has taken great strides in environmental protection by adopting its Climate and Nature Protection Action Plan, Raisz said.
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Hungary’s and Austria’s tourist hotspot Lake Fertő in grave danger
This week, an advisory group from the UNESCO’s cultural organisation visited the site of the Lake Fertő investment on the Hungarian-Austrian border, which has been the subject of a serious debate on both sides for quite some time. UNESCO claims that if the construction projects, which have commenced on both sides of the lake, are carried out as planned, they may result in Lake Fertő losing its World Heritage title. As a consequence, regional tourism could also decline. Furthermore, both countries’ reputation could be seriously damaged.
The fate of Lake Fertő
According to Szabad Európa, in addition to government members, the delegation also met with civilians fighting for the protection of Lake Fertő. The company responsible for the investment ceased to exist at the end of last year, which resulted in the project being taken over by the Ministry of Construction and Transportation in January. The representatives of civil organisations, the Friends of Lake Fertő Association and Greenpeace on the Hungarian side, WWF and Allianz For Nature on the Austrian side and government representatives from Hungary all gathered to discuss the issues. In addition to the environmental activist groups, locals also protested against the investment, which started four years ago and had cost billions of Hungarian forints.
The civilians voiced their problems that a previously popular part of the lake is no longer accessible to them due to the investment projects. Moreover, fishermen and sailors also face issues when attempting to access certain areas of the lake. The head of the Ministry of Construction and Transportation, János Lázár, has announced, that due to economic reasons, the planned project will only be partially realised. According to Gyula Major, the president of the Friends Of Lake Fertő Association, the government delegates promised that “everything will be nice and good from now on”, and that they would initiate a dialogue between the government and civilians regarding the endangered lake.
Read also: Visit Lake Balaton this autumn for low prices!
All words no action?
The members of the ministerial delegation encouraged the interested parties and activists present to feel free to contact them in case they have any questions. In addition, they assured them about their support in trying to reach a mutually beneficial agreement for all parties concerned. The delegation also said thank you to the civilians for their tireless work so far. However, Major Gyula’s question, which inquired about the exact elements of the partial implementation, has not yet been answered. According to the president of the association, the delegates suspected that this part of the work was still in the discussion stage. The person in charge of the Greenpeace biodiversity campaign on the rehabilitation of the shore of Lake Fertő, Katalin Rodics, said that even if the project is ceased entirely, it does not mean that nature can take over anytime soon as no one will break up the concrete that has already been laid. Rodics believes the machines used for removing the concrete would cause even more damage to the environment.
On the Austrian side, fierce criticism was raised about the potential construction of a hospital. In connection with the investment, our neighbours also pointed out the possible hazards the project would pose on the nearby wetland protected by the Rámszari Convention as well as to the confluence of settlements near the lake shore.
Read also: Lake Velence could completely disappear by 2050
Author: Annamária Mikó
Single price for drinks bottles is introduced in Hungary
From 1 January 2024, a mandatory redemption system (internationally known as DRS, or Deposit Refund System) for products with redemption fees placed on the domestic market will be introduced in Hungary. Due to this change, beverages will become slightly more expensive.
The price raise concerning beverages
According to 24.hu, the essence of the system is that for the sale of all beverage products in glass, metal and plastic bottles, as well as single-use bottles, the buyer pays a standard return fee of HUF 50 (EUR 0.13) per bottle. This amount is refunded after the return of the bottle. In the case of the so-called multi-way refillable bottles, the rate of the redemption fee is set by the bottler and indicated in the logo. This method is one of the most effective from an environmental perspective. According to MOHU Ltd., it motivates the consumer to return the bottle and recycle its material in the circular economy.
The new system kicks off
From 1 January 2024, only bottles placed on the market after 1 January 2024 and bearing a redemption logo and a new barcode can be returned. During the transitional period provided by the legislation, until 31 June 2024, bottles without the new marking can still be placed on the market. After that date, only bottles with a redemption fee can be placed on the market. However, beverages without a marking and without a redemption fee can still be sold in shops. However, these ones will not be redeemable at REpoints.
It will be compulsory for shops with a sales area of over 400 square metres, the majority of whose turnover comes from the sale of food, to have an automatic return system (RVM, reverse vending machine).
How will people receive their money?
During the redemption process, the user can choose from the following options:
- Voucher: The value of the returned bottles is printed by the vending machine in the form of a voucher. It can be redeemed for cash or at the shop.
- Transfer to a bank account: With the help of the barcode reader built into the vending machine, in the soon-to-be-available app, registered customers can identify themselves with their electronic customer code using their phone. The redemption fee will be automatically credited to the bank account registered in their customer profile.
- Donation to charity: The redemption fee can also be donated to charity by selecting the option indicated on the vending machine display. The donated amounts will be transferred to the beneficiary at the end of a given period.
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Mandatory redemption of glass, metal and plastic bottle in Hungary from January
A new mandatory redemption system of glass, metal, and plastic bottles and cans will be implemented from January 2024, said Anikó Raisz, State Secretary for Environment Protection and Circular Economy, Ministry of Technology and Industry on Friday at the Planet Budapest 2023 Sustainability Expo and Experience Programme.
Large-scale redemption programme
According to Index, the new measure is part of a larger transformation of the Hungarian waste management system, Raisz emphasised, which aims to establish a sustainable cyclical economy. In such an economy, waste is not disposed but recycled and reused in the production cycle of goods. The redemption of certain materials benefits both the domestic economy and individual consumers, as it reintroduces previously unusable materials to the economy, as well as encourages manufacturers to produce durable and long-lasting products.
Promising figures
The Hungarian Ministry of Technology and Industry plans to implement redemption measures in cooperation with manufacturers and retailers with the use of concessions. In Hungary, around 20 million tons of waste is produced annually. With the involvement of concessionary companies, almost 4,5 million tons of this waste can be treated and reused. These figures are important in reaching European Union-wide environmental goals, as well. The European Commission, Raisz highlighted, has a number of regulations planned that would affect the waste management sector, for example, the target to double the recycling rate of municipal waste by 2030.
How will it be done?
The mandatory redemption of glass, metal, and plastic waste will apply to cans and bottles of specified capacities and will be available in grocery stores with a sales floor larger than 400 square meters in towns exceeding 1,000 residents. Single-use packaging will be redeemed for HUF 50 (EUR 0.13) across all sites, while the recycling fee for multi-use packaging will be determined by manufacturers.
Besides the concession model, which the recycling system is a part of, new extended producer responsibility (EPR) legislation has been set forth in cooperation with EU regulations. EPR laws use financial incentives to encourage manufacturers to reduce the waste associated with their production, to use more recycled materials and to lengthen the lifespan of their goods.
Author: Dóra Busi
Planet Budapest 2023 sustainability expo which ended on Sunday
The Planet Budapest 2023 sustainability expo which ended on Sunday was successful in all aspects, creating a demand to organise some parts of it as a permanent exhibition next time, former president János Áder and chief patron of the event said on Monday.
Interest in the expo among young people was so great that the Heroes of the Future and Your Planet exhibitions had to be opened two days before their official planned opening, and there were still 130 schools left on the waiting list, Áder, who is chairman of the board of the Blue Planet Foundation, told public broadcaster M1.
Entry to the expo even had to be suspended temporarily for safety reasons on Sunday because of the large number of visitors, Áder said.
If the expo is to be held again in two years’ time, at least two of the three exhibitions will have to be made permanent, he said.
Meanwhile, the former president said environmental consciousness in many cases “depends on a single move”. One such example, he said, was the decision of whether or not to throw away a plastic bottle as waste or return it under a deposit return scheme, which will be an option in Hungary from January.
Áder told public radio that a vast majority of the 140 exhibitors had considered the expo “successful” or “outstandingly successful”, with more than a third of them saying they expected their participation to yield commercial benefits in the coming year.
As we wrote before, until 2050 Lake Velence could completely disappear, details HERE.
Government decree deathblow to Hungarian environmental safeguards?
Opposition LMP has said it is turning to the Constitutional Court with a request for annulment of a government decree that “has dealt a devastating blow to Hungarian environmental protections”, insisting that companies that violate environmental standards but promise rectify it a contract will be spared punitive action by the authorities.
LMP also demands the resignation of Csaba Lantos, the energy minister, who “has proved his incompetence by helping to scrap environmental protections”, József Gál, the party’s spokesperson told a press conference on Friday.
The (LMP) chairman of parliament’s sustainable development committee is initiating a committee meeting next week and has asked Gergely Gulyas, the head of the Prime Minister’s Office, and Lantos, to brief the committee.
Also, LMP will hold a candlelight vigil in front of the ministry next week, he said. He said that whereas the government had insisted the decree would only apply to troubled steelmaker Dunaferr, in effect it would scrap the institutional system of the country’s environmental safeguards. Meanwhile, Gál said LMP wanted licensing procedures for battery plants to be tightened.
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Shipwreck found in Hungarian river: may be half a century old
In recent days, the water level of the River Maros has been extremely low, causing sandbanks to emerge in the river. A sunken shipwreck near Ferencszállás has also become visible.
The water level of the River Maros has been extremely low in recent days, which has caused an interesting shipwreck to surface. There is no detailed information about the wreck, as the vegetation in the floodplain is very dense and it is not possible to take close-up photos, Sokszínű Vidék reports.
The photos of the boat were taken by Attila Bodrogi, an amateur naturalist and meteorology enthusiast. You can check out his photo of the wreck HERE.
All that is known about the boat is that in its heyday, it was a barge that used to transport stones to fill the Maros, and it probably sank during transport. According to the Water Directorate’s records, the vessel may have been a Romanian crossing barge.
The shipwreck appeared in the river as a result of the extremely low water level in the River Maros. According to our records, the wreck is located in the vicinity of the 18,560 river kilometre section of the river. It is the remains of a small vessel that came from Romania during the 1970 Maros emergency flooding,
Tibor Borza, deputy technical director of the Lower Tisza Water Management Directorate (Alsó-Tisza-vidéki Vízügyi Igazgatóság), told Sokszínű Vidék.
The last record flooding of the Maros was in May 1970, when the river reached a height of 624 centimetres.
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The Hungarian Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (HVCA) held its 24th annual investment conference on 21 September, 2023, which is the largest and most prestigious professional event of the Hungarian VC/PE market. The international presenters and experts discussed the future of the venture debt market, changed thoughts about how to create the regional CEElicon Valley, tasted wine and awarded EIF with the John Harsanyi Prize.
The conference provided a forum for the most prominent players, investors, executives and business decision-makers of the Central and Eastern European venture capital and private equity sector to share and discuss market trends and presented the most topical issues with prominent players in the sector.
The first panel discussion focused on non-conventional venture debt, where financial experts consulted about the current role of venture debt in early-stage firms’ life cycle, outlining a number of positive synergies and the nature of complementarity between venture debt and venture capital finance.
What ingredients does CEE needs to replicate the success of Silicon Valley? – that was the main question in the panel, where the region’s experts was looking into latecomer advantages of CEE Europe’s venture capital market and its capacity to catch up with the mature venture capital market of Silicon Valley.
By exploring the region’s current resources, regulatory environment, infrastructure and culture, as well as targeted actions needed to be taken, the discussion highlighted that processes in CEE Europe’s venture capital market can be radically improved as the region climbs the steep development curve.
EIF won Harsanyi Prize
One of the largest Fund of the Funds is the European Invetmenst Fund on behalf Cyril Gouiffes, the Head of Social Impact Investing took the John Harsanyi Prize, which is HVCA’s award to one individual or an organization recognized for its exceptional contribution to the development of entrepreneurial processes worldwide. This year EIF earned this prize.
„So far, we have supported through our investments more than 15,000 hungarian SMEs corresponding to a total amount of 332 million in equity, guarantees, and securitization in Hungarian financial intermediaries. Receiving the John Harsanyi Prize is an enormous honor and even more so a very special recognition of EIF’s role to the Hungarian and wider European economy” – said Gouiffes at the award ceremony.
As in previous years, a social issue indirectly related to the private equity sector was also part of the full-day conference: Áron Szilágyi, a three-time Olympic champion saber fancer introduced MEEF, the Hungarian Elite Athletes’ Interest Protection Forum, an association with a purpose to develop programs for Hungarian elite athletes in cooperation with business partners and educational institutions and provide them with financial and legal advice during their active years and after retirement.
There was also an exciting panel discussion on how to explore the effects and benefits of featuring start-ups on TV, like SharkTank, Dragons’ Den, 2 Minuten 2 Million. The participants of the roundtable discussed what’s the benefit of such show for the investor community, or is it even an effective way of promoting entrepreneurship.
The leaders of HVCA/HunBAN/StartUp Hungary highlighted the role and initiatives of individual organisations within the regional VC and PE community including highlighting the impact of the three organisations on the startup ecosystem.