Did you know that some of the empty soft drink or water bottles and beer cans can be returned, and you can get a refund of 50 HUF per piece ? If you have thrown them away so far, there is a better solution: you can not only protect the environment, but you can also get some money back with their help!
In this post, we’ll show you:
- how the redemption system works;
- what can be redeemed and what cannot,
- where can you find the nearest return machine to the apartment,
- how do REpoints and the MOHU application work,
- and where to collect empty bottles in the apartment.
What does it mean that a bottle or can can be “returned”?
Since 2024, a new redemption system has been in operation in Hungary: beverage bottles and cans that can be returned have a “returnable” sign or DRS logo (Deposit Return System). These are sold with a deposit of 50 HUF – you pay this at the time of purchase, but if you return the empty packaging, you will get this amount back.
What can be redeemed and what can’t?
Currently, the following beverage containers can be returned if they are marked as returnable:
- Plastic bottles (e.g. soft drinks, mineral waters)
- Aluminium cans (e.g. beers, energy drinks)
- Glass bottles (e.g. syrups, alcoholic beverages)
It is important to note that only those can be redeemed that have a returnable mark and were not compressed or without a label:
Bottles smaller than 0.1 liters and larger than 3 liters cannot be returned, nor can bottles that do not have a label or sticker indicating that they are returnable.
Where to collect empty bottles in the apartment?
We provide a designated place in the apartment area for the collection of empty returnable bottles and boxes. This designated place is located on the side of the apartment, in the place shown in the picture. Please collect empty returnable beverage bottles here.
Thank you for helping with selective collection and an environmentally conscious lifestyle!
Where can you redeem it in person? – REpoints
The official locations for returns are the so-called REpoints: these are vending machines or customer counters where you can quickly and easily return empty bottles.
The nearest REpont vending machine to the Motel Next apartment house is located a few minutes’ walk away in the parking lot of the METRO Department Store, next to the gas station. It is an outdoor vending machine outside the store. Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 5:30 am to 9:30 pm and Sunday from 8:30 am to 6:30 pm.
You can also search for additional REpoints on the https://repont.hu website or in the MOHU application, where you can see on a map which one is closest to you.
How does the redemption work?
- Collect empty, returnable beverage bottles and cans.
- Do not squeeze or remove the label from them – this is the only way the machine can recognize it.
- Take them to the nearest REpoint (e.g. METRO).
- Insert them into the vending machine one at a time.
- At the end, you can choose one of the following options:
– You will receive a paper voucher that you can buy in the shop, but this voucher is only valid in the shop where the machine is located.
– If you have previously registered in the MOHU app and had your unique identification QR code scanned before the refund, the money will be transferred directly to your bank account. You can track the transaction in the app.
– You can also choose to donate the money to charity. The machine will then display which organization you are currently supporting with the donation.
Use the MOHU application!
The official application of MOHU (Hungary’s Waste Management Authority) makes the return even more convenient.
In the app, you can register an account, set up bank transfers, track how many bottles you have returned and see the nearest REpoints on a map.
We hope this guide will help you navigate your return options and contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable environment. Thank you for paying attention to selective collection and an environmentally conscious lifestyle!
