Revitalizing Waste Collection in Budapest

Budapest, like any other city, faces challenges when it comes to waste management and maintaining cleanliness on its streets. In an effort to improve the waste collection system and enhance the overall appearance of the city, Budapest Utilities Co. has initiated a program to replace approximately 9,000 plastic green bins with new, larger, and more aesthetically pleasing waste containers that can better withstand the demands of urban life.

Current State of Waste Management

With a total of around 14,000 public waste collection containers in Budapest, 11,300 of them are operated by Budapest Utilities Co. The remaining stock is managed by district municipalities and other organizations. The majority of the containers currently in use are outdated green plastic bins that were introduced during the transition period after the fall of communism. These bins no longer cater to the changing needs and habits of both residents and visitors to the city. Recognizing this need for improvement, the Budapest City Council has made the decision to replace all 9,000 green plastic bins with new waste containers that are more suitable for urban life.

The Challenges Faced

On average, more than 760 tons of waste are collected from public bins in Budapest every month by the employees of Budapest Utilities Co.’s sanitation division. Additionally, the quantity of waste collected from street cleaning exceeds 820 tons per month. Currently, Budapest has a higher number of public waste collection containers (14,000) per 1,000 inhabitants (8.23) and per square kilometer (26.6) compared to major German cities (7.2 per 1,000 inhabitants and 20.1 per square kilometer).

The Plan for Improvement

In the past two years, Budapest Utilities Co. has already installed 1,000 new waste containers in locations with increased pedestrian traffic, higher visitor numbers in city parks, a growing tourism industry, and the popularity of outdoor sports and recreational activities. These new containers are being tested to assess their performance in different weather conditions and to gather feedback from the public. The insights obtained during this testing phase will be used to finalize the design of the new waste containers.

Encouraging Responsible Recycling

In addition to replacing the old waste containers, Budapest Utilities Co. is also analyzing the composition of waste collected from over 250 selective waste containers currently in operation. The results show that increasing the efficiency of selective waste collection primarily depends on raising public awareness and encouraging responsible behavior. To achieve this, Budapest City Hall and Budapest Utilities Co. are launching a comprehensive awareness campaign that encompasses all aspects of public space usage. This includes collaborating with districts and establishing new partnerships with hospitality businesses that play a significant role in street littering.

Introducing Public Bottle Holders: “Take What You Need”

As part of its commitment to improving waste management, Budapest Utilities Co. has also installed 20 public bottle holders at highly frequented locations in the city. These prototype devices are designed for holding empty bottles that can be returned for a deposit refund (DRS – Deposit Return System). After a 90-day trial period, Budapest Utilities Co. will evaluate the performance of these bottle holders and prepare a report on the experience gained.

Conclusion

Budapest Utilities Co.’s initiative to upgrade waste collection in Budapest is a significant step towards improving the city’s cleanliness and sustainability. By replacing old plastic bins with new, more durable waste containers and introducing public bottle holders, the organization aims to create a more efficient waste management system and promote responsible recycling behavior among residents and visitors. With the cooperation and support of the public, Budapest can become a cleaner and greener city for everyone to enjoy.

Image source: Budapest City Hall