Palm trees grow under pressure

This article is available for reading in Trade magazin 2025/8-9.

Recycling at the highest level

Tivadar Runtág
chief operating officer
MOHU

In the two years since its foundation MOHU has distributed hundreds of thousands of selective waste bins, began transforming its network of waste collection sites and doubled the frequency of selective waste collection for households in all municipalities with more than 5,000 inhabitants.

“Relying on international experience, MOHU has developed a plan to increase domestic recycling rates. On 1 July 2024 a mandatory return system for beverage containers came into effect, which was implemented at record speed: in less than a year Hungarians returned 2 billion bottles. There are now 3,000 return vending machines and 1,700 manual return points available to consumers”,

informs chief operating officer Tivadar Runtág.

MOHU has made a commitment to collect and pre-treat nearly 4.5 million tonnes of municipal solid waste per year in Hungary for 35 years.

Plastic-free – reconsidered

The Hungarian Association of Packaging and Materials Handling (CSAOSZ) has been a knowledge centre for presenting and explaining changes in packaging-related legislation.

Miklós Nagy
technical secretary
CSAOSZ

Miklós Nagy, technical secretary of CSAOSZ:

“The main topic this year is the requirement for PET beverage bottles to have 25% recycled content. However, it is very difficult to purchase the required amount of food-grade rPET to achieve the 25% rate, because it is in short supply and also because excessive corporate green commitments mean that more recycled material is being used than is required, preventing other companies from catching up”.

In the future the sustainability efforts and packaging development directions of the domestic FMCG sector will be determined by the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), which entered into force in February 2025.

Business success and social responsibility

CSR Hungary has been a leading Hungarian expert in corporate sustainability and responsibility since 2006..

Júlia Takács
ESG-expert, CEO,
co-founder
CSR Hungary

 “Our complex portfolio consists of complementary elements aimed at expanding the knowledge of domestic companies, disseminating knowledge and promoting practical application. We organise events that help company managers and employees understand the importance of sustainable business practices and provide a platform for companies to share their best practices and experiences and to cooperate. CSR Hungary participates in the development of domestic and international CSR guidelines, standards, and best practices that provide guidance to companies on responsible operations. Plus the CSR Hungary Award motivates companies to operate in a sustainable and responsible fashion”,

informs CEO and co-founder Júlia Takács.

A new approach in packaging

Rondo Hullámkartongyártó Kft. has a long-term energy efficiency plan until 2030, which is reviewed annually and modified if necessary to achieve the best possible results.

Zsolt Miklós
managing director
Rondo

Managing director Zsolt Miklós:

“96% of our waste is fully recyclable and used as raw material for paper production. We have installed a solar panel system that covers about 10% of our electricity use. Our objective is to have a full electricity supply from renewable sources by 2028”.

Rondo Kft.’s machinery is also capable of producing twin-box type packaging that can be placed directly on store shelves and also serves as transport packaging, in line with customer requirements. The paper they use is fully FSC certified and they have already prepared for the EUDR regulations, which will enter into force in 2026.