A surprising result was achieved at the 6th Lake Tisza PET Cup

By: Trademagazin Date: 2025. 06. 18. 11:48

The experienced organizers of the PET Cup Association, which organized the competition, were also surprised by the result: more than 10 tons of waste were collected by the pet pirates in this year’s competition. The reason for the surprise is that there was no major flood in 2025, and preliminary waste monitoring and river cleaning campaigns did not reveal any significant pet mines. Yet, the reedbeds, difficult-to-reach, zigzag islands of Lake Tisza hid a huge amount of waste.

15 teams were allowed to enter the competition, which was announced for the sixth time in 2025, so the competition took place with the maximum number of participants and the involvement of an additional 40 volunteers. The weather was kind to the pet pirates, who were determined to do anything, with a pleasant temperature of 26-28 degrees and no rain. 11 of the teams were returning, so they started the river cleaning armed with the experience of previous years, but the performance of the 4 newcomers is also worthy of respect – they were driven by the shock of seeing the waste. This enthusiasm is not unique, over the past 13 years of PET Cup competitions, the organizers have often experienced the impact of the amount of waste hidden in the otherwise wonderful floodplain and reed beds of the Tisza on those who encounter it for the first time.

Unfortunately, new arrivals are constantly arriving from upstream countries, primarily from Transcarpathia. This is the reason why the PET Cup Association is currently working on several cross-border international projects. Through these, as well as with the help of their awareness-raising programs, they want to promote change.

The same route, more and more waste

The VI. The field of the Lake Tisza PET Cup followed the route Tiszafüred – Tiszaszőlős – Tiszaderzs – Tiszanána-Dinnyéshát, as in previous years. The base this time was Tiszafüred, where the pet pirates returned every evening to rest after the day’s exertions.

The competition began on June 12 with the boat building at the Morotva Bicycle Recreation Park in Tiszafüred. By the opening ceremony the next day, all boats were already on the water, proving that they were suitable for waste collection. The pet pirates were greeted by Dr. Anikó Raisz, State Secretary for the Environment of the Ministry of Energy, who also demonstrated her support with actions: she went on the water and collected waste. Attila Lovas, director of KÖTIVIZIG, highlighted in his welcoming speech that the partnership between the two organizations does not only exist during the competition, as the PET Cup Kiskörei River Rescue Center (FMK) is located in the field of water management, so the cooperation is ongoing. On behalf of the settlement, Deputy Mayor Tibor Virág welcomed the teams.