Environmental protection in Hungary

Recycling has always been big in Hungary, not sure if people were aware of the environment or they just were too poor to throw anything out.
Those plastic water bottles from the shops are not exactly great for the planet glass recycled bottles are better but a hassle I suppose to sanitize and store.
I know in HUngary if something has been thrown out it is really non usable, the land of the machine cannibales.
People will take parts off of one thing and repair with spares, band-aid things to keep on going.
Not out of being cheap but out of need.
Toaster broken, fix it is possible, car broken where is a coat hanger?
I have had guests visit me from Hungary who gave me the condiments from the airline dinner, the extra packages of salt and sugar,nothing goes to waste in Hungary.

I remember seeing people save wrapping paper from gifts.
I asked why they saved everything, was told because Hungary has few forests and is not "rich" like we in the US are that they have to value paper products and not throw everything away.
I wonder if Hungary was a "richer" country if they would still value natural resources as much.

I've seen people fixing things here but recycling here to any extent - don't think so. 

I once saw a guy carrying what I think was a Trabant engine. Even had a handle on the top so you could fix it on the kitchen table. 

We recycle our plastic and glass but nearly everything else except domestic appliances goes in the standard waste bin. I think they (HU) are just not geared up for recycling. It's probably all in the landfill. 

Apparently there's a vegetable oil processing place near Esztergom that turns it into bio-diesel.  MoL now have special containers for it and you can take the stuff to their outlets.

We do not know how to dispose stuff that is contaminated like used engine oil, worn out car parts or cables.  We've never been able to find out how to get rid of this stuff.  We have several boxes of the stuff and some containers of smelly gear oil.   The garage that does the oil changes disposes of that stuff usually but where, if you are home mechanic, do you get rid of it?

I will have to post where we returned our used auto batteries, they actually pay from 3,000 to 6,000 to recycle a car battery depending on the size.
Just need to show your tax ID card for payment.
My husband probably knows where to take back old auto oil etc.
Out of HU ATM but will post later when we got back to HU and can find our old paperwork with addresses.
I know the place we used for the car batteries takes in scrap metal too.
He even recycled tiny 3 A batteries there at that location, not too far away from the horse race track area.
I suppose you can look it up online with a HU site.

Here in Budapest, I've always thought there was a very effective recycling system. It engages a dedicated army of mainly shabbily dressed men who inspect street bins at all hours to ensure anything useful, edible or smokeable can still be put to good use. I assume that maintaining this system is integral to the government's environmental policy.

You may drop off used motor oil at MOL filling stations, no rebate given.

For large amounts of used oil and all other chemical fluids you may contact, OKO 2000 KFT
They are located in the countryside in, Kiskunlachaza
They pay 10 forints per liter for amounts of at least 100 liters
For amounts over 400 liters they will come and do the pick up.
36-24-430-371
e mail: [email protected]
Web: oko2000.hu

Forgot to mention for us city dwellers,
once a year when the city throw out day comes around, they will also take fluids, motor oil etc.
The times and dates for pick up of fluids are posted in each house on a flyer which also states the day each house will have their pick up of household items.
They send out a different truck to pick up fluids so not to be put out with other none fluid items for throw out.

I live in Budapest and recently took part in a 7 month experiment to become more environmentally friendly and aspire towards a zero waste lifestyle. You can find hints and tips about how you can do the same here:
http://bestselfology.com/the-hate-to-waste-experiment/

I think one of the things that Budapest does well is second hand items. There are lots of groups you can join to get second hand bikes, clothes, furniture etc...

There is also recycling available in most apartment blocks.

Found out that MOL is not excepting used motor oil.
Will do a bit of research to see who will take used motor oil.
Hungary lately seems  to have more second hand clothing shops around Budapest then retail shops for clothing.
I personally have found a few really good deals in some second hand shops in Budapest but overall  most items are overpriced.
See many sweaters or jumpers  already worn out going for 4,000 forints or more just because they had been a name brand item.
In the US right now in Las Vegas, my husband for one has scored some really good deals from a Goodwill shop.
New or very slightly worn Hugo Boss items, H&M jackets in new condition, so much that we need to bring a 3 rd bag back to HU.
Just a bit of dry cleaning and wala, good to go.
I never see really good items in second hand shops in Hungary, maybe a nice leather jacket once in a great while but most items are  not worth buying used.
Perhaps our area in Vegas has more people willing to toss out new items that just didn't work for them for one reason or the other, some still have store tags on them.
What I like about the Goodwill shops is they employ people who might not otherwise get hired anywhere.
Our local shop near the house has two transgender men working there as well as people who are trying to get their lives in order after drug rehab or jail time.
I think most second hand shops in Hungary are private stores where profit comes first so prices are not low, maybe at  end of season items.
One thing I love about the Goodwill in the US is Wed. senior citizen half price day.

As regards Budapest and recycling, FKF is the first address to go to:
http://www.fkf.hu/portal/page/portal/fkfzrt
This Fővárosi Közterület-fenntartó Zrt. is a non-profit waste management company for Bp.

All houses seem to have yellow (plastic), blue (paper) and green (remainder) bins. Only I get the impression some people have difficulty distinguishing the various materials...

Big shopping malls offer recycling points. That's where you'd dispose of glass stuff without a deposit on it as well as metal cans. If you can't be bothered returning your beer or wine bottles just place them outside the house, they won't last long due to that special recycling system 'angol' (above) so astutely described.

I dispose of defunct batteries and light bulbs at DIY markets or Spar stores.

Apropos angol: 'Angol Ruha', 'Használt Ruha' and the likes, often recognisable by a British banner, are synonymous for charity-like clothing recycling, seemingly modelled on the British charity system. Only I don't believe it's charity. As to Marilyn, to me too, this looks rather like for-profit recycling of surplus-to-requirement shipped over from Britain.

As Marilyn also pointed out, there's the annual household junk collection. All year round, the FKF tours the various parts of the various Bp districts, you'll find the dates on their web. Nearer your relevant local date, you'd find a leaflet posted.

I believe it's true that you get money reimbursed on particular items, which is why the Roma on those annual collection days are so keen to help you get rid of metal stuff, eg decommissioned water taps, computer cases, car parts, guess they're being paid per ton..

I remember FKF once dropping a voucher for free disposal of a set of car tyres. Didn't make use of it, due to lack of a car - chiefly because Bp public transport is exemplary! That's getting greener, too.

BKK, in the past few years, noticeably phased out many of their bus dinosaurs, many of which dated from the communist era (Ikarus was/is the famous brand) now replaced by 150 shiny Mercedes busses put in service, those of brighter blue colour. And on heavily frequented routes, such as 7, you see a lot of extremely quiet Hybrid engine busses.

Did you know, on your monthly travel ticket, you can also use the BKK Duna boats (!), BUT free only on weekdays/workdays.

Enjoy the cruise!

Kenjee wrote:

Is the country going green through initiatives like waste management and selective sorting programs, renewable energies, public transport, green awareness campaigns and so forth?

This is actually my professional field. I have a graduate degree in resource management.

I have dealt with this topic professionally only outside Europe, so I am only speaking generally here, but it is my opinion from what I have personally experience, Hungary's record on many of these issues is rather poor. And what record there is, it is usually highly politicized, based on who can make money from it or EU get grant funding, not well managed or properly understood or poorly implemented (thus a great deal of funding is probably "wasted"), and in some cases maybe even potentially fraudulent or corrupt.

I once watched at a Lake Balaton beach while the grounds caretaker took all the contents of the garbage bin, and then all the contents of the "recycle" bins, and dumped and mixed them all into one bag, and then dumped that one bag into the large garbage dumpster destined for the local land fill.

To be honest, this is not just a "problem" in Hungary:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article … rated.html

In other words, no matter how much you want to be environmentally sensitive, or "green", to be really either of theses you have to actually participate; and by that I mean self confirm the process is working while making sure you are not fooled by greenwashing campaigns during the confirmation process and to report violators. Putting something into the recycle bin, or taking used motor oil to a "collection center", may make you feel "great", but it may actually be just an environmentally useless action. And some actions you think are "green" may even be environmentally damaging:

http://www.emagazine.com/magazine/italys-eco-mafia/

Each of us must take the real effort to make sure it isn't. Greenwashing is a growing problem; and local and national governments are often culpable.

Sadly we silly humans are killing our planet ,hench ourselves too.
We tried to make a tiny dent in waste by buying a water filter for our drinking water, one with those throw out filers. Literally a tiny drop in the bucket.
Got so tired of tossing out plastic bottles. Too much waste still upsets me, poor planet.
I admit I am getting lazier in my "old age" I used to buy only nature friendly household cleaners and gave up eating meat for over 30 years, too much waste with the upkeep of farm animals , water, feed could use the land for better purposes then raising animals for slaughter.
Used to give money to Green Peace, Peta and local animal rescues.
Wish I could still afford to do those things.
Bought myself a Peta sweat-shirt years ago, made me feel better but didn't do a thing to stop animal torture or cruelty, silly me thinking I could made a statement and anyone would listen.
We need to re educate everyone before it really is too  late.
All the "organic" animal friendly planet friendly items are so costly, that should change, we should have to pay to hurt the planet not to save it.
Many times I do feel we are all being BS ed to death by some so called good deeds that do not matter in the long run because of lack of public awareness or lack of caring at all.
As a child camping we made sure not to leave trash behind on trips, never polluted the rivers with toothpaste or soaps, didn't leave anything behind to ruin nature for the next person.
Then I come to find out the town I was raised in Simi, Cal had the biggest nuke accident in US history back in 1959.
It was all covered up by the gov. worst then even 3 Mile Island.
Sometimes I could scream at how much cover up's are going on with every gov.
We are fools, the planet really is dying. Many many people from my home town now have cancer issues, makes on really wonder...
With the Bp throw out's so many dumb people just tear into the tossed out items, spilling old paint and fluids all over the roads and sidewalks.
I know we had old paint for the toss out, my husband waited on the side of the road until the truck came to collect it, he was afraid some idiot would spill paint on the walkway.
Sad state of affairs when we must "paint-sit" because people just don't care about their actions.
My old school mate from way back attends all the animal abuse protests here in Las Vegas, mostly aimed towards the Mirage Hotel/ casino. They have too many tanks with cramped conditions for wild life.
Profit first. Sadly she often gets abused herself while trying to raise awareness, she is in a wheelchair too, people are just rude sometimes I think there is little hope at least with older people. We need to educate children and not too soon.

Marilyn Tassy wrote:

All the "organic" animal friendly planet friendly items are so costly, that should change, we should have to pay to hurt the planet not to save it.

A lot of that is expensive because of middle man and retail markup.

For example, a farmer in Africa my be organic, but that farmer is paid pennies compared to what the end retail cost to the so called "western" consumer is charged. I really hate to say this, but a lot of the "earth friendly" retail market is a scam. I know. As I said, this was my professional field for years.

That is not to say that "earth friendly" farming does not cost more. It does. But a lot of the markup a western consumer experiences is simply paying for pretentiousness, without any real market value.

And so called "eco-friendly" people pay the higher price because they do not know they are being scammed. The just think they are "doing good" and assume the price they are paying is for a legitimate purpose and is economically sound. Often it isn't. See for example:

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/21/nyreg … .html?_r=0

I am, for example, all for so called "fair trade", but even that is sometimes questionable.

http://gentleworld.org/fair-trade-chocolate-a-myth/

Again, as I said above, to be a real environmental conscious consumer, you have to actually take the effort, that is work, to find out fact from fiction. If one does not, they may just be part of the larger problem.

This is true, my friend here in Vegas only shops at store like Whole Foods, super pricey for so called range free chickens etc.
Organic produce etc.
She even buys organic wines.
At least twice as expensive as where we shop, we usually shop in several different places, Trader Joe's is where my son shops but he is lazy, stops in after work and is in a rush to get home.
My husband and I help allot by doing the weekly food shopping for him, we price shop, by in bulk and drive to 3 or 4 different shops for the best deals.
It takes allot of time to get the best deals for your money, food is very pricey now in the US, in Hungary we know we can eat quality items for 1/4th the cost as back home in the US.