The new waste fee system announced by the government may cause a price increase of up to 5% in food

By: Trademagazin Date: 2023. 06. 27. 12:33

The Hungarian Corrugated Products Manufacturers Association (MAHUSZ), which brings together manufacturers, welcomes the fact that the government wants to comply with the waste management directives prescribed by the European Union, but the new plan, created without industry consultation, is in the organization’s opinion completely contrary to the government’s aspirations for a circular economy, and also has a strong inflationary effect it can excite, while it also worsens the country’s efforts for sustainability.

According to the opinion of the Association of Hungarian Corrugated Products Manufacturers (MAHUSZ), it would have serious consequences if the decree defining the rates of extended producer responsibility (EPR) entered into force on July 1 in the form known today. In the case of paper packaging, an EPR fee that is 9.1 times higher than the current environmental protection product fee would also drastically affect an extremely environmentally friendly packaging material: corrugated paper. Even today, this packaging material has a uniquely high recycling rate of 90% and an average recycled raw material content of 89%, which is supported by domestic data. The preparation and announcement of the regulation was not preceded by meaningful industry consultation, which could have helped in the development of a regulation that supports long-term sustainability plans better than the current one.