Hungarians Increasingly Open to Circular Economy Solutions

The Hungarian population is increasingly open to solutions that strengthen the circular economy, such as selective waste collection, and almost 40% of respondents are convinced that waste is a valuable source of energy, according to a recent Mol survey sent to MTI this Tuesday, on Global Recycling Day.

They added that Mol regularly surveys public attitudes towards sustainability and the figures show that although change is slow, the trend is clearly positive.

In the current national representative survey, commissioned by the company's waste management arm (MOHU), 1,000 Hungarian residents aged 18-69 were included.

The results showed that the Hungarian population is open to separate waste collection, with 63% of respondents saying they collect plastic waste separately.

For paper, the proportion is 60%, for metal and glass 50%, for tires 46%, while for used oil and cooking oil 39%, for kitchen green waste 45%, for textile waste 30% and for food waste 27%.

They pointed out that the percentage of people separating has increased for kitchen green waste, food waste, tires and textile waste compared to 2023, and one in two respondents also strongly agree that waste needs to be reborn for a sustainable future. In addition to this, the fact that almost 40% of respondents are now convinced that waste is a valuable source of energy was cited as a significant change.

The positive sustainability attitudes of the population are also reflected in the results of the return scheme introduced last year: by the beginning of March, Hungarians had returned 1.4 billion recyclable plastic and glass bottles and cans.

Nevertheless, change is gradual and much investment and social awareness-raising is still needed to increase the recycling rate in Hungary from the current level of around 30 to 65%.

It was highlighted that Mol is investing around USD one billion in the coming years to support the circular economy: in addition to waste processing and the development of a take-back system for beverage packaging, the production of alternative fuels and low-carbon transport are also key strategic goals for the company.