The 2nd Youth PET Cup has ended

Every year, the Tisza Lake PET Cup teams travel south from Tiszafüred toward Kisköre, leaving the upper section of the lake unexplored. However, spring waste monitoring surveys indicated that this region was also worth investigating.

Teams for the second Youth PET Cup arrived from Miskolc, Veszprém, Budapest, and Uzhhorod (Ukraine). Each team consisted of six students and one accompanying teacher. Organizers were especially pleased that five schools returned after participating in the first edition two years ago.

Even so, for many of the young participants it was their first time in a canoe, so the first day of the competition focused on learning the basics of paddling and steering.

On the second day, teams took to the water and cleaned the floodplain between Tiszacsege and Tiszadorogma. The following day, the cleanup continued between Tiszadorogma and Tiszabábolna.

Then came a dry day—but by no means a dull one—at the PET Cup’s River Rescue Centre, where volunteers and partners hosted activities at three different locations. Participants learned about the Association’s broad activities, visited the floating FLEX Exhibition, and created small items from river plastic. Later, with the help of seasoned PET pirates from the Aztakeservit Értékőr Association, they made trash art sculptures, and also visited the Kisköre headquarters of the Middle Tisza District Water Directorate, where they explored the history of the Tisza Lake.

After this action-packed day, the final water-based leg—paddling from Tiszabábolna back to Tiszafüred, stopping occasionally to collect waste—almost felt like a relaxing break.

The 11 teams collected more than 2.4 tons of waste over the course of three days—a remarkable achievement!

During the Youth PET Cup, the young participants not only mastered river cleaning techniques but also learned about the various routes of waste: from reuse (e.g. trash art sculptures), through recycling (FLEX – MÜMÜ), to landfill disposal (NHSZ Tisza Nonprofit Ltd. – Regional Waste Management Centre). They also got an introduction to the world of microplastics thanks to a lecture by Dr. István Szabó, Head of the Department of Environmental Toxicology at MATE University. To round out the programme, the children visited the Mayfly Eco and Tourism Centre in Tiszafüred to learn about the local region and wildlife.

Results

At PET Cup events, earning PETák (PET points) isn’t limited to waste collection. Teams also competed in skill-based challenges, the PETathlon, quizzes, PET-a-Star and Treasure Hunt.

The final ranking was uncertain until the very last moment, with only a small margin between the first and second places. In the end, the returning team from Kőbányai Szent László Gymnasium took the victory (they had previously come second in the first Youth PET Cup). They were followed by the newcomer team from Veszprémi SZC Ipari Technikum, and in third place came the students of Budaörsi Illyés Gyula Gymnasium, Technikum and Vocational School.

The winning team from Kőbányai Szent László Gymnasium

1. Kőbányai Szent László Gymnasium – 6,332 PETák
2. Veszprémi SZC Ipari Technikum – 6,225 PETák
3. Budaörsi Illyés Gyula Gymnasium, Technikum and Vocational School – 4,501 PETák
4. Jedlik Ányos Gymnasium
5. Budapest German School
6. Dr. Ámbédkar School 1
7. Tamási Áron Primary, Secondary and German Nationality School
8. Drugeth Gymnasium, Uzhhorod
9. Dobos C. József Catering Technikum and Vocational School
10. Dr. Ámbédkar School 2
11. BMSZC Than Károly Technikum and Vocational School

With gratitude to our partners

Thanks to the support of the State Secretariat for Active Hungary, the second Youth PET Cup was again made possible, helping raise awareness among younger generations about river pollution. Participation was free of charge for all schools.

Key professional partners of the PET Cup included the Association of Environmental Service Providers and Manufacturers, the General Directorate of Water Management, and the Upper Tisza Region Diving and Rescue Association. MOHU MOL Waste Management Ltd. supported the event in handling municipal and selective waste, while waste transport and processing was handled by NHSZ Tisza Nonprofit Ltd. and MIREHU Miskolc Regional Waste Management Nonprofit Ltd. The essential collection sacks were provided by Pétizsák and MOL Petrochemicals. Staff of the Middle Tisza District Water Directorate (KÖTIVIZIG) gave insight into the lake’s history, water management and the operation of the power plant. The Aztakeservit Értékőr Association provided expert support for creating trash art. Educational sessions were offered by the Mayfly Eco and Tourism Centre and Dr. István Szabó, associate professor and department head at MATE University. DHL Global Forwarding has supported the PET Cup for years as logistics partner, while Spájz Syrups refreshed the young PET pirates with their delicious drinks. It’s always a pleasure to return to the Sulymos harbour in Tiszabábolna and the Albatrosz harbour in Tiszafüred—many thanks to the Albatrosz Camping for their warm hospitality.

The PET Cup Association also expresses its gratitude to the municipalities of Tiszacsege, Tiszadorogma and Tiszafüred for their generous support.

Special thanks go to the accompanying teachers and the tireless PET Cup volunteers—this event would not have been possible without them!