Category: News

Published: 16 June 2025

Diageo didn’t stay on the shore this year either: in 2025, the company once again took part in the Tisza Lake river-cleaning action, with its employees - encouraged by kayaker Tamara Csipes - getting into boats to collect the waste that endangers the living space of future generations. All this is part of the company’s waste reduction initiative called CALL-Action, which aims to inspire active environmental protection. The message is clear: social responsibility is not about posters, but about sweaty work – on water, in floodplains, and across borders.              

As one of the world’s leading alcoholic beverage producers and distributors, Diageo and its partners have implemented real social intervention in recent years: they launched eco-buses in Zakarpattia, developed waste yards, and saved the Tisza from 2,000 tonnes of plastic in just three years. The latest stop: Lake Tisza, where company employees collected waste from the water with their hands. Not because they had to, but because this is what it means to truly be responsible.

Results Measured in Tonnes

During the 2025 Tisza Lake river-cleaning action, Diageo’s 100-person team collected a total of 113 bags of waste from the lake over two days. The bags weighed an average of 5.5-6 kilograms, meaning the total amount gathered exceeded 600 kilograms. The company’s volunteers actively contributed to the protection of Hungarian waters, turning their team-building into a socially beneficial activity. Tamara Csipes, double Olympic, nine-time World, and ten-time European Champion kayaker also joined the event to encourage employees and to underline the importance of protecting our waters with her personal presence: “It might not be within everyone’s comfort zone to pick up trash, but sometimes we need to step out of this little bubble we live in.”    

„We are proud that our colleagues have participated in volunteer work for years, as sustainability for us finds its true meaning through actions. We believe in real change - while support is important, what matters even more is when we act ourselves. Putting on rubber boots and gloves and getting out on the water gives us a truly shocking picture of how severe river pollution is. While sorting the bags, we found not only plastic bottles, but also dangerous waste, pieces of clothing, and countless everyday items - these not only pollute the environment but also remind us of our own responsibility. These are images we won’t forget; they leave a deep impression and inspire action.” – added Gergely Ábrahám, Diageo’s Corporate Relations Director for Eastern Europe. He emphasized that protecting natural waters in the region cannot be solved within borders, it requires shared thinking, infrastructure, and real cooperation. A key element of Diageo’s social responsibility is sustainability and the protection of natural waters. The waste collection at Lake Tisza is closely tied to the CALL-Action project launched in February 2022, which was implemented with the cooperation of organizations from Zakarpattia, coordinated by PET Kupa, and financially supported by Diageo Hungary.

Mindset Shifts Start Where Waste is Born

The goal of the Call–Action waste reduction program is to bring meaningful change to plastic-polluted catchment areas in Ukraine and Hungary. The actions along the Tisza, Mureș, and Latorica rivers focus not only on collecting waste, but also on its proper processing - recognizing that pollution is a cross-border issue. The project exemplarily combines civil organizational knowledge, local community engagement, and the financial and strategic support of multinational players. Thanks to the joint efforts of four partner organizations - waste yards in Uzhhorod and Berehove, Zelenyi Varosh Association, and Papilio Nature and Environmental Protection Association - the waste management infrastructure has expanded, new tools like eco-buses for residential waste collection have been deployed, and over thirty awareness-raising events have been held for the public. At the peak of the river-cleaning, Papilio’s volunteers collected 1.5 tonnes of mainly PET bottle waste from one of the most heavily polluted sections of the Latorica, known as the “plastic forest.”

The CALL-Action project started in 2022, at the onset of the Russia–Ukraine war, and faced serious challenges from the beginning: power outages, conscriptions, air raid sirens, and the everyday reality of war made the work difficult. Despite this, the teams persevered - reflecting exemplary commitment from the communities involved. Thus, CALL-Action impacts not only the environment but also builds communities: both locally and within the company. Key results in numbers:            

• Development of infrastructure in 2 waste yards in Zakarpattia
• More than 2,000 tonnes of waste diverted from the river 
• 30 residental selective waste collection containers placed in Uzhorod and surrounding villages 
• 4 km of Latorica riverbank mapped and 1.5 tonnes of waste removed from the floodplain
• Over 2,500 locals, mainly children, took part in 30 events

„Waste collection, river cleaning, and mindset-shaping: these are our main pillars, but over the years it has become clear that this is about more. If a company or a school tries this work once, from that point on they see the river, plastic, and their own responsibility differently” – said Gergely Hankó, Vice President of the PET Kupa Association.

New Goals

Despite the challenges, the project has exceeded its targets: instead of the planned 690 tonnes of river waste, more than double was diverted. With Diageo’s support, a new one-and-a-half-year phase is now beginning, aiming to collect an additional 1,000 tonnes of waste, involve 10 new schools, and monitor 10 more kilometres of river.

Category: News

Published: 10 June 2025

The second edition of ENVIRONTEC powered by ÖKOINDUSTRIA, the international trade exhibition, will take place on 7-9 October 2026. The event will once again bring together leading players from the environmental industry, water and waste management and sustainability. Co-organized by the Hungarian Association of Environmental Enterprises the exhibition will be held at the HUNGEXPO Budapest Congress and Exhibition Center.

The event, which debuted successfully in 2024, clearly demonstrated the industry’s openness to innovation and the strong demand for a forum where tomorrow’s environmental solutions can meet today’s decision-makers. The exhibition welcomed 100 exhibitors from 8 countries and over 3 000 professional visitors, complemented by conferences, live demonstrations, and showcases from Hungarian universities.

For 2026, we are preparing to welcome even more participants, with new professional programs and expanded business opportunities for all exhibitors.

EARLY BIRD APPLICATION IS OPEN BY 15 SEPTEMBER 2025!

HAEE members can apply at a special price.

Click here

to download the application form!   Application Form

to request detailed information about the exhibition!   Exhibitor Folder

if you would like one of our colleagues to contact you directly!   Registration 

Category: News

Published: 27 May 2025

Group work on board the FLEX-Sárazsadány

Kisköre, 22 May 2025 – Between 11 and 15 May, the Riversaver Center at Kisköre hosted the first international Community River Cleanup Coordinator Training, strengthening environmental cooperation between the countries along the Danube. The five-day event was attended by students from seven countries, who gained theoretical and practical knowledge about the most modern methods and technologies necessary for cleaning rivers. 

"Riverine waste pollution is a problem that currently adversely affects more than 90% of the hydroelectric power plants in the Danube Basin. The technology and efficiency with which water management facilities deal with this problem is crucial. We are happy that Kisköre is getting more and more international attention – barely a month ago, we showed our riverine waste management practice to a group of German university students, and now we could provide a stage for a river cleanup coordinator training on the whole Danube River Basin level" – said Lőrinc Fejes, section engineer of Kisköre (Middle-Tisza Region Water Management Directorate - KÖTIVIZIG). 

Participants of the workshop rode bicycles between the locations

The training was carried out within the framework of the Interreg Danube Region Programme Aquatic Plastic project, with the support of the European Union Interreg fund and the Hungarian State. The opening and closing sessions took place in the panorama room of the section engineering department of KÖTIVIZIG in Kisköre, with a breathtaking view of the Tisza, the Lake Tisza, and the riverine waste accumulation in front of the Kisköre hydro-power plant (HPP). 

"Such trainings make it possible for the good practices developed in the Tisza River Basin, such as the multistakeholder management or the Riversaver School Network, to be applied in other countries as well," emphasized Zsuzsanna Bitter, chairman of the Plastic Cup Association. 

Csaba Szabó (SONAR) gives a presentation on the challanges of water river cleaning

The practical elements of the workshop took place in the floating community space and exhibition space called FLEX-Sárazsadány, which was established on an upcycled ferry from River Bodrog and became a unique event site in the region. The participants took part in community river cleanup (CRC) by boat and canoes as field exercise, got acquainted with the professional river cleanup tools used by KÖTIVIZIG, and also learned the community waste collection and riverine waste sorting methodology developed by the Plastic Cup. 

During the training, Aquatic Plastic's co-creation methodology helped to transfer knowledge quickly

"The students learned the good practices of the Plastic Cup in real life. They could personally observe the water quality protection activities of water authorities, and we presented them solutions developed in the Aquatic Plastic project. The riverine litter and environmental plastics they collected themselves was transformed into durable and useful objects under their hands – and they even built a plastic bottle boat as a team." – emphasized Attila Dávid Molnár, the leader of the workshop. 

A student from Montenegro tries out the Plastic Kayak made of riverine plastic

The workshop, in line with the objectives of the Aquatic Plastic project, presented a range of solutions for the cost-effective and sustainable management of riverine waste. The methods presented include the HYDR and KRKN river litter skimmer solutions of the Plastic Cup, which use the velocity of the river flow to divert floating waste and ensure a cleaner, better waste quality at the end of the cleanup process. 

An alternative riverine waste management solution called KRKN (kraken) operated by trained cleanup coordinators is in work

At the workshop, several experts experienced in the field of riverine plastic pollution and river cleanup gave presentations, providing up-to-date professional knowledge and examples of international good practices for the participants. The detailed program can be downloaded here. 

 Stefan Trdan, river and marine cleaning specialist (IWRS, Slovenia) also gave a presentation at the workshop

"The result of the work of the Plastic pirates – in partnership with KÖTIVIZIG – is the Lake Tisza Plastic Cup, which will be held for the 6th time this year (VI. Tisza Lake Plastic Cup: 12-15 June 2025) and this joint effort over the years will also provide the basis for this international workshop, where the training of future international river cleanup experts will begin," said Attila Lovas, director (KÖTIVIZIG).

Group photo in front of the Kisköre hydro-power plant

This workshop is another step in strengthening the environmental cooperation of the Danube region and plays an important role in increasing the environmental awareness of the young generations," said Gergely Hankó, managing director of KSZGYSZ and co-organizer of the workshop. 

Link to the mood video of the workshop: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90fvKQAsvSg  

Group work on board the FLEX-Sárazsadány

The international workshop will continue in October (13-17 October), hosting international environmental and river cleanup experts at Kisköre, to deepen the cooperation of practicing river cleanup coordinators - establishing the foundation of a Danube Basin Riversaver Community.

Within the framework of the Aquatic Plastic project, the series of roundtables on the Tisza will also continue, which will also be an important meeting for Hungarian experts in October aimed to strenghten cooperation between national stakeholders for a cleaner Danube Basin. 

Workshop participants with river plastic collected with their own hands

This project is supported by the Interreg Danube Region Programme project co-funded by the European Union and with the contribution of the Member States.

Text: Anna Istenes (HAEE), Sára Bőhm (Plastic Cup Society)
Photos: Vanda Molnár, Emese Silimon, Sára Bőhm

Category: News

Published: 27 May 2025

Written by: Zsuzsanna Bittner

2,000 tonnes. 2,000,000 kg. That's how much waste the CALL-Action project has diverted from the Tisza over the past three years. The project was implemented with the cooperation of Transcarpathian organisations, coordinated by Pliastic Cup and with the financial support of Diageo Zrt. 

How did this insanely large number come together? After all, hundreds of experienced plastic pirates can collect 10-15 tonnes of waste in a Plastic Cup competition during a week of tireless river cleanup. And what does it even mean to "divert"?

In February 2022, the project was launched - then only for 2 years - with the aim of reducing the amount of waste in Transcarpathia, at the source region of the Tisza. That waste could potentially end up in the river. The initiative was called the CALL-Action project, which included the professional processing of recyclable waste, infrastructure development of waste treatment sites in Transcarpathia, waste monitoring and river cleanups and social sensitisation. 

Waste island on the riverbank of Latorca near the city. Mukachevo, Ukraine, 2023

We have involved 4 local partners in the delivery of the commitments. The waste yards in Uzhhorod and Berehove, the Zelenyi Varosh Association for environmental education in Uzhhorod, and the NGO Papilio Nature and Environment Association, which carries out river cleanups with volunteers. Together, they implemented a programme to raise awareness of the seriousness of river pollution and possible solutions, to provide opportunities for the proper management and recycling of the recyclable fraction of household waste, to monitor the Latorca river floodplain and to clean up an area of high pollution.

The managers of the yards, Ruslan Shvarts and Viktor Buchynskyy, have improved the infrastructure of their sites, installing waste collection containers in blocks of flats, schools and public areas, and increasing their delivery capacity. The project included the purchase of baling and pressing machines, forklift trucks and vans. An innovative solution has also been developed: the eco-bus, which makes regular visits to busy urban areas to collect PET bottles in bags for the collection of household waste.

Waste collection eco-bus at work. Uzhorod, Ukraine, 2023

During the awareness-raising activities, Anna Sabadosh and her colleagues organised more than 30 events in Uzhhorod and the surrounding municipalities, including sorting workshops, summer camps for young schoolchildren and university courses. 

In the 3 years of the project so far, more than 2,500 people aged between 4 and 60 have been involved. They have been in contact with Ukrainian internally displaced persons (IDPs) and have been given knowledge on how to properly recycle packaging waste, which in many cases comes with emergency packages.

Eco-education for the little ones. Uzhorod, Ukraine, 2025

While the above activities prevented the waste from entering the river, the project also included river clean-up, which was prepared by thorough waste mapping. Papilio volunteers monitored a 4 km section of waste deposits, and in August 2024 they cleaned up the Latorca floodplain, known only as the "plastic forest", around the Nagydobrony fishing site. More than 1.5 tonnes of waste was collected, 80% of which was PET bottles.

PET bottles everywhere in the Latorca floodplain. Velika Dobrony, Ukraine, 2024

Volunteers collected 1.5 tonnes of waste in one day

Diverting waste from the river therefore means collecting recyclable waste from the population in upstream areas where, due to the lack of waste management services - in some cases, none at all - it is likely to end up on the riverbank. Alternatively, we collect it where it is still concentrated along the river, i.e. where it is deposited in large quantities in small areas and has not yet been spread - over hundreds of kilometres - in floodplain forests of the slower flowing downstream region.

The CALL-Action project was launched in 2022, almost at the time of the outbreak of the Russian-Ukrainian war. The planned implementation was turned upside down by reality. Our Transcarpathian partners had to work at the site during a power cut, the environmental education partners provided training during an air raid, and women lifted PET bales due to a decreasing male workforce. Our partner in Berehovo was conscripted at the end of last year, so we are concerned not only for municipal waste management, but also for our partner and friend. The site is run in his absence by his 73-year-old father.

Deputy manager of the Berehove waste yard. Ukraine, 2025

Nevertheless, the 2-year target of diverting 690 tonnes of waste from the river, originally targeted at the start of the project, was exceeded: more than doubled. As a result, the project sponsor Diageo Zrt. has initiated a new one and a half year project phase, with the Plastic Cup Society continuing to act as coordinator and responsible for developing the strategy. The aim is to achieve a further 1000 tonnes of waste, awareness-raising activities in 10 more schools and 10 more kilometres of river along the Latorca.

Household collection points set up in the framework of the CALL-Action project. Uzhorod, Ukraine, 2024

The results of the 3-year CALL-Action project in numbers:

- Improving the infrastructure of 2 waste yards in Transcarpathia
- Diversion of more than 2000 tons of waste from the river, 
- 30 household selective waste collection containers in Uzhhorod and surrounding municipalities, 
- mapping of 4 km of the Latorca riverbank and removal of 1.5 tonnes of waste from the floodplain,
- Delivered its river protection message to more than 2,500 local residents - mostly children - during 30 organised events.

Information on the project's objectives, events and even the eco-bus's schedule is available on the project's website, which is available in Ukrainian and English.

Short summary video of the project's awareness-raising results:

Short summary video on the project's waste management results:

Category: News

Published: 20 May 2025

Since the 2nd National Awareness-Raising Conference (2023), much water has flowed down the Danube and the Tisza. The rapidly changing circumstances at nearly every level continue to inspire us to reflect on the work accomplished so far, identify areas that need improvement, and form new networks. Together, we aim to work more effectively to ensure credible information, foster a shift in mindset, and encourage responsible action.

Our goal is to make environmental awareness-raising more effective and widespread in Hungary, the Danube region, and the Carpathian Basin.

Registration

Date: Tuesday, June 3, 2025, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM

Venue: Corvinus University of Budapest, Gellért Campus
(Budapest, 1118 Mányoki út 9.)

Short movie about the 2nd National Awareness-Raising Conference (2023)

It is beyond question that everyone has a role to play and responsibilities to fulfill. As we often say: "Be the change you wish to see!" Conscious and responsible living is achievable at all levels of society and the economy. This requires knowledge and awareness — and while we do possess this, and even utilize the most modern digital tools — traditional, nature-based, commonsense solutions often do not receive the attention they deserve.

The speed of the digital world and the rise of digital dependency have a noticeable impact on natural personality development and human relationships. Practical experience shows that we must act and bring about change. We cannot ignore the growing negative trend: more and more people are experiencing burnout and exhaustion, worrying about their future, and many identify themselves as suffering from climate anxiety.

As psychoanalyst and psychotherapist Annamária Tari put it at our last conference:

"We face a difficult task because it's crucial that information be both authentic and credible, while also adapted to the 21st century. It’s encouraging to see ecological influencers with millions of followers gaining visibility — this offers hope that the power of social media can be steered in a positive direction.”

Alongside these challenges, we aim to showcase several good practices, proven solutions, development frameworks, funding opportunities, communication strategies, and potential collaborations — all to help us become more effective in the future!

Program: 

	The essence of the day’s content will be visually captured and synthesized by Réka Livits, graphic recorder and founder of Visualive.	Réka Livits graphic recorder, founder of Visualive
Afternoon Moderator: Benedek Iga, Working Group Leader, KSZGYSZ, COO, Encotech Ltd.
14.10	Succesful Sustainability Education Programs in Schools	Miklós Matolcsy CEO, Alapértékek Nonprofit Ltd.
14.25	It All Depends on the Operator! Business and Workplace Impacts	Attila Maxim FerencziFounder, Reco Waste Management Ltd.
14.40	Ocean Literacy vs. River Literacy	Attila Dávid Molnár Founder, PET Cup Association
PEOPLE WE FOLLOW
15.00	Sustainability Through Humor	Gergely Litkai, Comedian, Sustainability Expert
15.20	This Is How I Do It: Education, Career Orientation, Storytelling	Fanni Mészáros CEO, APPLiA Hungary Association
15.35	The Age of "fast science": How To Communicate,  When Everyone Wants Instant Answers?	Janka Sára Molnár Theoritical Physicist, Science Communicator, FUNtasztikus Tudomány Ltd.
15.50	A Shower of Awards - And What Lies Behind	Roland Ladányi CEO, MiReHu Nonprofit Ltd.
16.05	Q&A
16.15	Summary & Closing Remarks - Toast and Networking
16.30	GreenESGage 2025 - "The Green Commitment" Ceremony The aim of the competition is to recognize and showcase companies in Hungary that manufacture innovative products or provide services in a sustainable, eco-conscious, and environmentally friendly way. Through ESG expansion, the GREENESGAGE competition emphasizes not only environmental factors, but also corporate social responsibility and transparency, supporting the broader goals of sustainable development.
	Welcome Address	Julianna Nagy Senior manager, ESG and Sustainability Services, KPMG Advisory Ltd.
	Host	Attila Maxim Ferenczi Founder, Reco Waste Management Ltd.

Category: News

Published: 19 May 2025

The conference is conceived as a two-day event that will bring together all ISWA representatives, international experts, representatives of central and municipal administrations and companies. It will focus on establishing and maintaining the principles of sustainable waste management for Macedonian stakeholders in solid waste streams and presenting new technologies and best international practices.

The grand opening of the conference will begin on May 29, 2025 at the Holiday Inn Hotel in Skopje, where James Law – President of ISWA, Mihail Mateski – President of MASWA and senior representatives of the host country's institutions will speak. The main part of the conference will consist of several discussion panels and presentations from companies and experts. On May 30, 2025, experts will present their findings at the Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy in Skopje, followed by a field technical visit to local companies.

A Hungarian delegation is participating as speakers and moderators at the event.

• Krisztina Wegner, international waste management expert, as moderator
• Erika Horváth, managing director of Klarwin Ltd., as speaker: leachate-water purification and air quality
• Balazs Morvai, project manager of Palota Ltd., as speaker: hazardous waste updates in the region
• Gergely Hanko, managing director of HAEE and KEXPORT: river pollution to solution

The main topics of the conference will be:

•  Inter-Municipal Waste Management in North Macedonia,
• Smart and digital technologies in waste management,
• Opportunities in extended producer responsibility,
• ZWTL – Zero Waste to Landfill Standard and Implementation,
• Waste, climate action and decarbonisation targets,
• ESG standards in waste practices,
• Circular economy and waste as a resource,
• Budgeting and financing of sustainable waste management systems.

The conference will be a great opportunity for networking, opening up new business collaborations and educating about innovations in this area.

More Info