| Law Summary | Certain Energy and Waste Management Acts, |
| Date Implemented | January 1, 2024 |
| Containers Covered |
Glass, metal, and plastic beverage products between 0.1 - 3L |
| Beverages Covered |
All beverages excluding milk and milk-based beverage products |
| Beverages Not Covered |
Milk and milk-based beverage products |
| Amount of Deposit |
HUF 50 |
| Fees and Taxes |
|
| Recovery System | Return to retail (manual and RVMs) |
| Unredeemed Deposits | TBD |
| Program Success |
TBD |
Details
Prior to the implementation of Hungary's new deposit return scheme, Hungary only had a deposit on refillable containers. Hungary initiated its own DRS to comply with the European Union's Directive on Single-Use Plastics by 2030 with the 2012 Act on Waste. The law passed to authorize the DRS plan in 2021 and Hungary created their DRS in 2022. [2] The program is administered by the Ministry of Energy and regulated through governmental decree issued in 141 of the Magyar Közlöny 2023. [3]
The mandatory return system puts a deposit of 50 HUF per container for all glass, metal, and plastic beverage containers, excluding milk and milk-based beverage products. [1]
Grocery stores larger than 400 square meters (approximately 4,300 square feet) are required to redeem beverage containers. Large stores are required to have at least one reverse vending machine (RVM). Deposits may be returned to consumers through a voucher to be redeemed in stores or exchanged for cash, given to charity, or electronically transferred to a bank account. Products that do not have a mandatory deposit may also voluntarily opt into the system.
Through this redemption system, Hungary hopes to curb landfill disposal, illegal waste disposal, and reduce environmental burdens by achieving a redemption rate of 90% for plastic bottles. [4]
Footnotes
[1] "Visszaváltási pontok." (trans. Redemption Points). MOHU MOL. Last accessed January 4, 2024.
[2] Boros et. al. "Opinion of the Hungarian Population on the Reform of Beverage Packing Deposit-Refund System." MDPI. June 3, 2021.
[3] "Hungarian Gazette No. 141 of 2023." Hungarian Gazette October 4, 2023.
[4] "Mandatory Bottle Return System to be Introduced Next Year." Hungary Today. October, 10, 2023.
[5] "The Mandatory Redemption System will be started in Hungary January 1st." Magyarorszag Kormanya (Government of Hungary). 2023.
Last Updated on January 4, 2024.