Donations collected through bottle returns: more than 87 million forints have been collected so far for families in need

In the REpont system, which was introduced on January 1, 2024, all beverage packaging subject to a redemption fee can be redeemed at connected hand-held REponts and at vending machines in larger stores. At the vending machines, the refund can be requested as a store voucher or – in a unique way in Europe – by immediate bank transfer, and every customer has the opportunity to donate the refund amount to a charity, thanks to the Mosolyra válto program launched by MOHU.

Between July 1 and December 31 of this year, donations received will support the child and family protection programs of three national aid organizations – the Hungarian Maltese Charity Service, the Hungarian Ecumenical Aid Organization and the Hungarian Red Cross.

“We are proud that the refund not only strengthens the circular economy, but also helps important social causes. The 87 million forints collected so far also shows that people are actively using the system and are happy to support good causes. We hope to further increase it in the coming months. this amount, so the Smile Changer program will have the opportunity to support even more families and children in need.”

– said Dr. György Bacsa, Managing Director of MOL Hungary.

At the joint press conference with MOHU on November 12, the representatives of the organizations also stated what the funds collected from the donations would be used for.

Péter Szabadhegÿ, President of the Maltese Charity Service, said:

“We are grateful for the trust and generosity of the donors. 4,100 children spend their free time usefully every day on the playgrounds of the Charity Service, and in the temporary homes of the families we can help hundreds of families to organize their lives. With the amount offered at the REpont machines, the donors contribute to creating decent conditions for these families and to giving the children a chance to develop, to catch up and the cloudless childhood that every child deserves.”

“We are very pleased to be part of an initiative in which objectives such as sustainability, support for disadvantaged children and the helping power of the community reinforce each other. With the donations received by our aid organization, we can provide development classes and experience programs for 1,000 children for half a year in our national network of institutions. This is also in line with one of our main objectives, creating opportunities”

– explained Kristóf Gáncs, the executive director of the Ecumenical Aid Organization.

“This opportunity is extremely important to us, because thanks to the support received through the REpont vending machines, we can help even more disadvantaged families”

– said István Kardos, Director General of the Hungarian Red Cross.

“Making the lives of our fellow human beings in need easier and more beautiful is part of our profession all year round, but with the winter holiday season approaching, this mission is even more important to us”

– added the Director General.

In just over a year and a half, three and a half billion bottles, cans and glass were returned to circulation in the mandatory return process of MOHU, through the REpont system. The waste collected in this way is recycled in the appropriate place, after sorting. The environmental awareness of domestic consumers remains high, exceeding initial expectations regarding the system.

MOHU draws attention to the fact that all donations reach the affected parties through the official channels of the system, and urges consumers to be cautious regarding QR code donation requests from other organizations. The company regularly provides information on the details of the official donation and the results of the program on the MOHU website.