Implementation of DRS IT System for the scheme in Hungary

Integration of nationwide circular economy under one roof

Customer

MOHU MOL Waste Management Zrt. (MOHU), a subsidiary of MOL Group, has been awarded a 35-year national concession starting July 1, 2023, to centralise and standardise municipal and selective waste management across Hungary, including coordination of the REpont deposit‑return system for beverage containers.

Its strategic goal is to advance Hungary’s circular economy by integrating collection of municipal solid waste, selective streams, and beverage container returns under one roof, while driving development of waste infrastructure and logistics.

Project description

Hungary introduces the Deposit Return System aiming to switch to the circular economy as soon as possible by increasing the supply of pure material streams and reducing the use of primary raw materials. The aim is to recycle 90 percent of plastic and glass bottles and metal beverage cans within three years, MOL stressed. The goal is to reduce landfills and illegal dumping and reduce the environmental burden. Consumers will pay the deposit of HUF 50 (€0.13) that applies to PET & glass bottles, and aluminum cans from 1 deciliter to 3 liters. Around 2000 return points across the whole country called “REpont” will be provided by reverse vending machines in groceries with a sales area of more than 400 square meters and in municipalities with more than 1,000 inhabitants.

The points of return will be centralized on both the MOHU website and the upcoming REpont app. Consumers will be able to choose the form of the return fee refund. The value of the returned bottles will be printed by the vending machine in the form of a voucher, that can be redeemed or exchanged for cash at the store. Moreover, with the help of the barcode reader built into the machine, the app will allow registered customers to identify themselves with their electronic customer code using their phones, and the return fee will be automatically credited to their bank account. The return fee can also be donated to a charity by selecting the option shown on the vending machine display.

Impact

MOHU’s ambition is to reach at least 90 % return rate within three years, a threshold critical to its continued operation under forthcoming EU regulations that require non‑profit, DRS‑exclusive operators by 2029.

Reflections on the scheme

Martin Basila, CEO of Sensoneo: “Sensoneo has extensive experience with integrating IT systems for Deposit Return Schemes, currently being the only DRS IT integrator worldwide that operates in multiple European countries. We are delighted that Hungary is on its way to tackling the waste problem and avoiding landfills. Consumers will be able to donate their deposits to charity which is a great initiative. It is an honour for us to play an important role in the success of the Hungarian Deposit Return System.”

The software includes modules for every activity involved in the preparation, operation, and reporting. The main modules of the system are represented by the web portal for producers and retailers, the packaging register, the collection points register, the ERP (enterprise resource planning) system, the reporting system, the document management system, interfaces with other systems (RVM, counting and sorting centers), and mobile applications for both retailers and consumers. The modules reflect specific requirements and needs and completely fulfill the obligations of each stakeholder.

According to Peter Knaz, Deputy CEO at Sensoneo: “Our DRS IT solution is a perfect fit for large-scale deployment as it provides a one-stop shop platform for all stakeholders of the DRS system, fully integrated with ERP system, complex Business Intelligence and at the same time fulfilling all country-specific requirements. DRS IT system in Hungary well blends into the complex system infrastructure of MOHU and brings innovative elements for end users through the DRS mobile application that eliminates cash or voucher transactions in stores. I believe that the DRS is the right step for Hungary to increase the recollection of clean material streams and decrease waste pollution.”