Waste - Outlook 2020 (Hungary)

Experiences and trends of recent years predict that in the next six years, the decreasing waste trend will continue. The target is that, with preventive measures, by 2014, less than 20 million tonnes of waste should be generated and waste production per HUF 1000 GDP should be less than 0.7 kg; the per capita waste generation should be less than 2000 kg/year.

Table 10. Estimation of future generated waste - without sewage sludge

Realisation of the stated goals depends largely on the change of drivers - including the standard of living or a change in the attitude. Due to the complexity of waste management, its long-term effectiveness might be influenced by various sectoral strategies. Thus, harmonisation of various sectoral policies is of crucial importance

The National Sustainable Development Strategy also aims at waste reduction, sustainable use of resources, and re-use of natural and manufactured materials - including packaging materials.

As a result of preventive measures, the amount of municipal waste can decrease compared to the trend in consumption. Within certain fractions, different growth rates seem to be plausible: the amount of organic waste by 2014 is expected to remain almost constant, and the overall rate of paper, plastic, glass and metal follows the changes of the total volume. More than 60 % of the total amount will come from households.

Table 11. Forecast of the amount of municipal waste until 2014 (Source: MoRD)

With the progress of the municipal sewage programme, the treatment of municipal liquid waste is shifted to sewage treatment facilities and municipal liquid waste will no longer be part of the waste regime. However, the increasing amounts of sewage sludge have to be taken into account, and the environmentally sound treatment of this represents new challenges.

In the economic sector, the quantity of waste generated should be kept under 16 million tonnes. Within this, the quantity of hazardous waste is expected to decline further, although it acts as a disincentive that more and more material is on the list of prohibited or restricted hazardous materials. The trend is also significantly influenced by remediation activities, where hazardous wastes are generated.

The fundamental goal of waste management is the implementation of the 2008/98/EC Directive on waste. It has to be ensured that 50 % of the waste generated is prepared for re-use, recycling or recovery. Within this, 40 % should be prepared for reuse and recycling, and 10 % should be used for energy recovery.

In order to reduce the organic matter content of deposited waste, the separate collection and treatment of biodegradable components must be solved in a way that in 2016 max. 820 thousand tonnes are deposited (in order to achieve this in 2014, pro rata up to 950 thousand tonnes can be deposited).

At least 70 % of the construction-demolition waste should be materially recycled by 2020.

Based on the target set by Governmental decree 94/2002 (V. 05.) dealing with packaging and packaging waste, 60 % of the packaging waste should be recycled by 2012 (within this, a 55 % average recycling rate; for paper, cardboard and glass 60 %, for metal 50 %, for plastic 22.5 %, and for wood 15 % minimum recycling requirements should be met).
For 2020, a 50 % recycling obligation is prescribed by the 2008/98/EC Directive for household paper, plastic, glass and metal waste.

To achieve the objectives of recycling, the selective collection system of municipal waste should be accessible for 80 % of the population.

It must be ensured that only non-recyclable waste is deposited.

Municipal solid waste disposal rates should not exceed 60 %. The percentage of hazardous waste should not exceed 3-4 % of the total amount of municipal waste by the end of 2014.

The more detailed objectives will be elaborated in the forthcoming second National Waste Management Plan. http://www.mkmconsulting.hu/skv/OHT%20II%20SKV.pdf.pdf