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How is Hungary fighting to hit its 2020 recycling target?
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The European Union has maid its intentions regarding pollution and waste quite clear for many years now: by 2030, all member states must reduce their plastic waste by 55%. Whether that will or will not happen is still under discussion, but one thing is sure: up until September 2018, 14 states were falling way behind meeting their recycling goals.
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One of the three countries at the bottom of the list was Hungary, who is now receiving help from the EU to successfully develop a strategy that will help meet the established goal. But how exactly is Hungary dealing with the amount of waste that is produced, and what changes can be implemented to educate and help the population understand the need for recycling?
How are Hungarians dealing with waste?
Although 35% of the total waste is, in fact, recycled, Hungary seems to be confronted with two main problems: plastic recycling and e-waste.
On average, it was estimated that every Hungarian is using 80 plastic bags a year, with the majority of these bags ending up in landfills.
The main problem with landfills is that the waste that ends up there produces toxic gases that heavily pollute the air. And, when you think of the fact that a bit over half of the total waste generated ends up in landfills, you start to see the actual size of the problem.
When drawing a comparison to the average EU plastic recycling rate, which is 42%, Hungary does, in fact, seem to have a serious issue, as the country only recycles 31% of its plastic waste.
The Government is taking measures to reduce the gap and place Hungary near the top of the list. In 2021, single-use plastics will be banned, with the Government also planning to increase taxes on other plastic items, such as straws, plates, and cups.
E-waste, Hungary’s second major issue, seems to still bring up challenges. While the majority of people are aware of the fact that they must recycle selectively, meaning paper goes to paper, plastic goes to plastic, and so on, they don’t seem to have the same knowledge about e-waste.
Hungarians usually throw away appliances they don’t need, either directly into the garbage bin, or on the side of the street, in case someone might need them. Although the idea is generally well-intended, leaving e-waste on the streets is not necessarily the best way to make sure your unused appliances are being given a new purpose.
All over the country, people can dispose of e-waste in electronic stores, or even have them removed for free, when new appliances are delivered. But, when asked why they do not recycle e-waste, 15% of Hungarians say they don’t have the necessary time to do so, while 20% of them are not aware of the importance of e-waste recycling.
Green programs are on the rise
Despite not graduating top of the recycling class, Hungarians are still trying their best to fight global pollution. Various environmentally-friendly programs have stated shaping up around Hungary, in an attempt to raise awareness on the pollution issues the world is confronting with.