Most important environmental issues in Hungary 2020

According to data published by IPSOS, 47 percent of respondents advised that dealing with waste is one of the top three environmental issues facing Hungary in 2020, the most of any category. By contrast, only three percent of respondents believe soil erosion to be a top three environmental issue.

Waste management in Hungary

The Hungarian waste management system has been under continuous development, with sustainability being one of the most important elements of the country’s waste disposal policy. Finding solutions for generating a minimal amount of waste is one of the vital factors of an effective waste management program. According to a survey conducted among Hungarians in 2019, most of the population believed that manufacturers should be obliged to help with the recycling and reuse of packaging that they produce. Moreover, nearly all Hungarians were worried about the widespread use of disposable, non-recyclable products.

Food waste in Hungary

Every year, about two million tons of food go to waste in Hungary. However, there are several initiatives in the civil and private sector which target the reduction of food waste in the country. One of these actors is TESCO Hungary, which donates to charity organisations food that cannot be sold anymore but is still fit for consumption. Because of the supermarket chain's actions, 6,947 tons of food were saved from going to waste in 2019.