A revolution in DRS: the 50-forint system may soon extend to mason jars

Currently, the Hungarian DRS system applies only to beverage glass bottles, PET bottles, and metal beverage containers. According to Mohu, the inclusion of glass bottles was prompted by their low collection rates, whereas glass jars, like in Austria and Slovakia, have not been part of the scheme. The REpont reverse vending machines (RVMs) are technically capable of processing glass jars, provided they meet the size requirements of 0.1 to 3 liters.

Before glass jars can be included in the system, several steps are necessary, such as product auditing and regulatory changes. For now, these jars can only be returned via separated waste collection. Shops with a floor space of at least 300 square meters are legally obligated to accept clean, glass packaging waste from customers, even though no monetary compensation is provided for such returns.

Expanding the DRS system to include glass jars could significantly enhance Hungary’s circular economy efforts. However, until this becomes a reality, consumers can still dispose of glass jars responsibly through existing waste collection options. The timeline for extending the deposit system to glass jars depends on upcoming policy and technological advancements.