Mastercard Green Friday in Hungary

Mastercard launched its second Green Friday campaign, this year, the objective is to promote conscious food shopping and nutrition. Several Hungarian banks have joined the initiative, the credit card company's statement said on Friday.

"The focus of this year's Green Friday is on sustainable food shopping and nutrition, as it is clear that many of our consumer choices - especially in food consumption - have a significant impact on the environment. Research shows that many global carbon emissions stem from our everyday purchases and lifestyle choices. Together with our partners, we aim to provide easy-to-follow tips and solutions, such as choosing local, seasonal products or reducing food waste, to empower those who want to live more sustainably. We also want the campaign to show that sustainability is not an abstract goal, but a series of everyday choices that everyone can make to contribute a bit to a more sustainable future.” That is according to Réka Szalkai, Mastercard’s Director of Area Marketing for Hungary and Slovenia.

The Green Friday website will feature a library of information, developed by the sustainability consulting firm, GreenSense. In line with this year's theme, the focus is on food, conscious and sustainable shopping and eating. As well as everyday advice, the microsite will also help citizens make more sustainable choices in the lead-up to the upcoming holidays.

This year, the campaign was joined by a wide range of influencers with different perspectives on sustainability. Content producers Dr. Pál Görbe, Zsófia Rimóczi, Greens of Daisy and Barna Turai, members of the "Green Squad", will present applicable best-practices for their communities, be it shopping, recipes, clothing or other consumption habits.

The campaign can also be found at pop-up stands in participating financial institutions' branches and in Budapest's major markets. At these locations, fun, interactive activities such as an awareness quiz will be offered, providing actionable knowledge and prizes.

The Green Friday campaign draws attention to the overconsumption that often occurs during Black Friday, with the primary aim of encouraging more thoughtful shopping habits. The main message of the campaign, which launches on 15 november, is that sustainability and environmental awareness need not be an extra burden, as it can be achieved through simple habits that are easy to incorporate into everyday life.