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SPAR ÖKO KALAND: A mini film series about sustainability for the little ones

The retail chain will launch a series of ten animated mini films for kids in kindergartens and primary schools in September. The mini films will tell stories using children’s language about topics on sustainability such as selective waste collection, or food waste management.

“Over the past two years, our company has been developing a strategic framework to summarise the social and environmental issues needed for a sustainable future. We have invested significant intellectual and financial resources in this program to ensure we take effective action, and together with our customers we have introduced several measures such as emission reduction, and waste management that significantly reduced our environmental impact. We believe in the importance of raising awareness, built on a foundation of easily understandable information. Since it is never too early to start raising awareness in environmental consciousness, we would like to engage kids in kindergartens and primary schools with our SPAR ÖKO KALAND (SPAR ECO ADVENTURE) animated mini film series. These ten short episodes introduce the topics of selective (sorted) waste management and disposable plastic materials in an engaging and educative way. Furthermore, the films touch on other important issues such as fundraising to help others, or food waste management,” said Márk Maczelka, head of communications at SPAR Hungary.

The store chain has launched its action plan framework containing issues concerning sustainable development in 2019. The main pillars of the system named “SPAR – for a sustainable future” are environmental protection, promotion of healthy lifestyles, food safety, employee support, and social responsibility.

The new SPAR ÖKO KALAND (SPAR ECO ADVENTURE) project launching this September, is another milestone in the ongoing commitment to sustainability. During the ten 40-second long animated episodes, the characters symbolising the elements of the Earth (Wind, Water, Fire, Earth and Heart), go on different instructive adventures. Kids of a young age will easily understand more complex issues such as the importance of a healthy diet, the impact of the use of non-disposable products, and the support of Hungarian products through these short, cheerful videos containing easily digestible pictures and videos. All five characters were assigned two episodes each, built around funny stories that are easy to understand, that start with a situation introduced in a playful way and will finish with a clear message on the subject of sustainability.

The animated mini film series will be promoted on the online channels of SPAR, including Facebook, Instagram and Youtube, as well as the sustainability website: www.sparafenntarthatojovoert.hu/okokaland

For more information please contact:

Márk Maczelka, head of communications

SPAR Magyarország Kereskedelmi Kft. ∙ 2060, Bicske, SPAR út

Mobile: +36 20 823 7891 ∙ E-mail: maczelka.mark@spar.hu

INTERNATIONAL REGISTRY OF ALUMINIUM-RICH RESIDUES WAS LAUNCHED IN THE FRAMEWORK OF RIS ALICE PROJECT

A new registry of – secondary mineral residues (industrial and mine waste/by-products) has been developed within EIT KIC Raw Materials founded RIS-ALiCE project (https://alice-registry.eu/) with the data valuable for both, waste providers as waste users in Eastern-Southeastern Europe region.

The registry offers a “marketplace” of secondary raw materials for their potential use in construction sector.

We invite you (especially waste holders/producers) to visit https://alice-registry.eu/ and use the registry to share your data on secondary raw materials.

Further information can be found on the following links:

http://www.bayzoltan.hu/hu/2019/07/05/ris-alice/ (in Hungarian)

http://ris-alice.zag.si/ (in English)

The new ’National Bay Zoltán Applied Research Institute Network’ has been established

September 20, 2021. Budapest – The National Bay Zoltán Applied Research Institute Network was formed in the Ministry of Information and Technology, with the participation of the Minister for Innovation and Technology, Prof. Dr. Palkovics László. Founding members of the Network are: Bay Zoltán Nonprofit Kft., ÉMI Nonprofit Kft., KTI Nonprofit Kft. and Autóipari Próbapálya Zala Kft.

The aim and mission of the Network is to support its members and the Hungarian national economy in increasing their competitiveness, through the coordination of applied research and development, and entrepreneurial activities of the affiliated institutions. In conjunction with the strengthening of the competitiveness of its members and the national economy, the Network’s clear aim is to exploit the synergies between its members and to support the knowledge and technology transfer, and also to emphasize an interdisciplinary approach. The Network also aims to strengthen the competiveness of the Hungarian national economy by involving new entrants, and to encourage the creation of high value added jobs.

„I look forward to working with the members of the Network with great excitement and enthusiasm. It is in the mutual interest of us all to use our research and infrastructural resources with plans in sight, facilitating the most efficient use and sharing of available capacities, thus providing direct professional support for the research and business activities of the members.” – said Dr. Grasselli Norbert, Managing Director of Bay Zoltán Nonprofit Kft., and Head of the Network for its first year.

The synergies between the competences of the Network members are already visible. All of the members are currently involved in several „green” projects, which will mean visible and tangible results for the industry in the near future, such as raw materials for building, alternative transportation resources, the application of smart technologies, and the reuse of secondary raw materials.

Recycling Hero Challenge: Training material for primary schools on environmentally aware lifestyle

Recycling, selective waste collection, food waste reduction – these are just a few of the themes covered in the new interactive education package developed in partnership by Nestlé Hungary and SPAR Magyarország Kereskedelmi Kft. for primary school pupils. The first hundred classes to enter the Recycling Hero Challenge receive a useful education kit to enhance their knowledge of sustainability and selective waste collection. Participating classes are called to submit their reports in a competition for a valuable prize.

About 140 kg packaging waste per capita is produced in Hungary every year with only 45% of that is recycled according to Eurostat data*. The problem is complex: in order to improve recycling rates, we need recyclable packaging materials, an adequate market infrastructure with selective collection, selection and processing systems, and public awareness.

Nestlé, as the largest food company in the world has an enormous responsibility. The company permanently strives to improve its packaging materials to make them recyclable or reusable by 2025. To achieve this goal, it is critical to have the appropriate selective waste collection, selection and recycling systems to be in place, and to engage consumers in appropriate selective collection to increase the amount of recycled packaging waste.

Recognising the importance of consumer education, two years ago Nestlé Hungary issued a Recycling Guide in partnership with HUMUSZ Association. The goal was to share some practical advice on selective waste collection. Demonstrating the need for the campaign, last year SPAR Magyarország Kereskedelmi Kft. also joined the initiative, resulting in joint publication called ‘How to be an environmentally conscious consumer?,  focusing on sustainable living and environmentally conscious buying.

The launch of the school challenge this year takes the initiative to the next level, because the campaign now focuses on the environmental awareness-raising of young children. The education programme Recycling Hero Challenge starting in September is developed for primary school children with the unhidden agenda to introduce the basics of selective waste collection to children in a fun way. As the first step of the challenge, the first hundred classes to register receive a Nestlé Recycling Hero Box of posters, selective collection containers and other useful tools to promote the efficient delivery of the message and fulfil the associated challenge. The professional partner of the education campaign is FKF Nonprofit Zrt., the waste management company. Classes that make it to the finals of the challenge can visit the FKF Educational and Reuse Centre in the 15th district of Budapest for complex sustainability programmes.

Nestlé encourages classes to put the knowledge they acquire into practice and enter the one week awareness-raising challenge: collect waste selectively, minimise discarded food and report on their experience.

The winner class selected by professional jury wins a class trip worth HUF 300,000.

Click here to read about the campaign details.

*Eurostat 2018

Sustainable Aviation Fuel by 2030

To reach net zero by 2050, aviation must accelerate use and supply of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Shell supports the World Economic Forum’s Clean Skies for Tomorrow’s coalition ambition of 10% global jet fuel supply to be SAF by 2030. Achieving this ambition demands widescale collaboration between all the players in the aviation ecosystem and all who benefit from flight.
However, SAF production and supply can only increase where there are clear demand signals and Shell believes that national and international policies will play a crucial role in creating the necessary market conditions to stimulate demand and infrastructure development. We are committed to playing our part and are working to ensure SAF accounts for at least 10% of our sales by 2030. And we have just announced our aim to produce around 2 million tonnes of SAF a year by 2025.

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/shell-aviation_to-reach-net-zero-by-2050-aviation-must-activity-6846507127297589248-OpmG/

ALTEO signed strategic agreement with AutóWallis

ALTEO and AutoWallis have signed a strategic agreement in order to harmonize their e-mobility services in the future. Stock of both companies are listed in the Premium category of Budapest Stock Exchange. The basis of the strategic agreement is that both companies are committed to sustainable and transparent operations and switching to a green economy.   The agreement extends to the marketing of e-car charging innovative energy solutions.

ALTEO and AutoWallis will promote market growth through the development of charging infrastructure and further improving e-car sales.

„E-mobility is becoming a part of our everyday lives, and charging cars is increasingly linked to sustainability and energy efficiency investments” – stated Dénes Novotny, Senior Manager of E-mobility at ALTEO. According to him, cars can be charged most comfortably at home or at work, however, the most cost-effective way of realizing this, is if charging devices are installed as part of a sustainable solution. ALTE-GO, ALTEO’s independent business in charge of operating charging devices and e-mobility services, offers sustainable solutions in the implementation and operation of electric charging devices, covering the full range of services required for e-mobility.

Gábor Ormosy, CEO of AutoWallis Nyrt., stated that the retail business of AutoWallis Group has sold nearly 1,000 electric and hybrid cars in 2020 in 14 countries where the Group is present. This shows consumers are increasingly open to green technologies. Appropriate charging network is required to realize this in Hungary’s road network and homes, for which members of AutoWallis Group have recommended leading solutions to clients all along.

ALTEO’s Board of Directors recently approved the company’s sustainability strategy, which designated five focus areas where sustainability and ESG aspects are consistently integrated into processes and strategies. The company pays particular attention to reducing its carbon footprint, making company culture inclusive and environmentally conscious, turning internal processes and its car fleet greener and strengthening the local focus of its corporate social responsibility activities.

SPAR receives acclaims for store development and sustainability efforts

The retail chain has received new awards in professional competitions, the submissions have won in both the hypermarket and supermarket categories. The INTERSPAR store in Dunaújváros has been selected as “Hypermarket Store of the Year 2021” and SPAR also won the “Supermarket chain of the Year 2021” prize and became authorised to carry the “Retailer of The Year 2021” logo and to use the same title. Additionally, the company was also awarded the “Symbol of Sustainability 2021” acclaim from Trade magazine and won the Commercial Niveau Prize for Hungarian Products.

“Awards, as recognitions from professionals and the public, are important to us because they demonstrate and confirm the validity of our business policy and corporate philosophy. Our work, the developments and investments under the banner of social and environmental compliance, as well as our initiatives are all linked to our traditions, and they designate the place of SPAR in the world of the 21st century. I am very proud that our company’s solutions have been selected among the best in the hypermarket and supermarket categories of the acclaimed StarStore – Trader of the Year 2021 competition. I am very grateful to all my colleagues, the community of the retail chain, as these acclaims mostly honour their sacrificial, conscientious work,” said Gabriella Heiszler, managing director at SPAR Hungary.

In the “StarStore – Trader of the Year 2021” competition organised by Trade magazine, the application of the company titled “Modern solutions and extra assortment at the Dunaújváros INTERSPAR” enabled the store modernised last year with the budget of almost 1.8 billion HUF to win the “Hypermarket Store of the Year 2021” title. Shared with another company, this unit has earned the highest score for its range of goods and services in all the categories of the competition of stores, and therefore it is authorised to carry the “Store of The Year 2021” title.

In the competition of retail chains, with the application project titled “SPAR Hungary, the pillar of Hungarian retail trade!”, SPAR has also been awarded the “Supermarket chain of the Year 2021” title. Based on the summarised scores of the retail chains, the company has also received the main prize of the professional panel (shared with another applicant) and became authorised to carry the “Retailer of The Year 2021” logo and to use the same title.

The panel emphasised the importance of the range of goods fully complying with special dietary needs, the creative and innovative content and the role of the company in Hungarian retail trade, including the support of domestic goods and Hungarian producers.

The “Symbol of Sustainability 2021” competition is also coordinated by Trade magazine, and the company’s projects titled “Hungaricool by SPAR supports market entry of Hungarian enterprises” and “Craft products of the Hungarian Maltese Charity in the SPAR Hungary stores” were also awarded. In the justification issued by the professional panel, the active contribution of the chain to social causes, support of people in need and Hungarian enterprises was praised. In addition to traditional forms, SPAR constantly seeks new routes and means to support efficient social care and the domestic market. The sustainability symbol awards evaluated the company’s work in the field as excellent.

At one of the key events of the profession, the Business Days in Tapolca, SPAR Hungary was also given the Commercial Niveau Prize for Hungarian Products. The high-ranking acclaim is awarded to the trade company that has contributed the most to the marketability and promotion of domestic products, based on the votes of producer companies using the Magyar Termék (Hungarian Product) trademark. The company especially appreciates this acclaim since it is awarded by the companies and partners it collaborates with in everyday business practice.

Images attached to the press release are available in higher resolution, after a quick registration in SPAR Médiatár, at the address http://mediatar.spar.hu/. The interface also enables downloading additional public images from SPAR. When using the images, please credit the photos to “spar.hu”.

 

For more information please contact:

Márk Maczelka, head of communications

SPAR Magyarország Kereskedelmi Kft. ∙ 2060, Bicske, SPAR út

Mobile: +36 20 823 7891 ∙ E-mail: maczelka.mark@spar.hu

 

100% recyclable paper cups to replace single-use plastic cups in Coca-Cola HBC Hungary’s vending machines

“My Coffee, Our Planet” – a graphic design competition is launched to create a new look for the paper cups

Coca-Cola HBC Hungary is withdrawing its single-use plastic cups from the Hungarian market. The plastic cups, typically used in coffee- and other hot drink vending machines, will be replaced by fully recyclable paper cups in around 1000 hot drink vending machines across the country. The transition is gradual with the aim to be completed by the first half of 2022. The replacement of the cups is going to be an eye-catching and awareness-raising process, as Coca-Cola HBC Hungary, in cooperation with MOME, has launched a graphic design competition for students at the university. The goal is to create a new look for the paper cup that promotes consumer awareness and draws attention to the importance of keeping waste in the cycle, thus encouraging the recycling of paper cups.

In line with the company’s sustainability efforts, Coca-Cola HBC Hungary is withdrawing its plastic cups, which are typically used in coffee machines. By the first half of 2022, vending machines, mainly displayed in workplaces, educational institutions, supermarket lobbies, transport hubs, and healthcare facilities, are aimed to serve beverages only in cups made of 100% recyclable paper. By replacing the millions of cups used annually, the company will use between 25 and 30 tonnes less plastic.

“As a responsible company, we believe that all packaging has value and life after its primary use. Due to innovations in recent years, our beverage packaging is 100% recyclable. We believe in the widest possible range of sustainable packaging: what connects all our packaging, including the cups available in hot drink vending machines, is the importance of recycling and reusing,” said Orsolya Nyilas, External Communications Manager at Coca-Cola HBC Hungary and a jury member of the “My Coffee, Our Planet” competition. “We cannot achieve our circular vision alone. The circular economy is built on collaboration, working together with consumers, decision-makers, industry players, and professional organisations towards a common goal. Creating a circular economy requires a multi-actor collaboration that we are also trying to empower. We seek active dialogue and cooperation. Our joint competition with MOME can become part of this dialogue as it aims to inform consumers that it truly matters what they drink their daily coffee from, and it is important that packaging remains part of the cycle.”

The introduction of the new cups made of 100% recyclable paper not only contributes to the sustainability of our physical environment, but builds our visual environment too, as the surface of the cup is also a communication platform. The transition starts with an exciting visual design competition. In order to achieve this plan, Coca-Cola HBC Hungary has invited the Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design to a collaboration: the design of the paper cups will be selected from the work of MOME students. The entries are going to be judged by Orsolya Nyilas, External Communications Manager at Coca-Cola HBC Hungary, Sándor Horváth, At-Work Manager at Coca-Cola HBC Hungary, Balázs Vargha, Head of Media Institute at MOME, Réka Matheidesz, Head of EU Projects at MOME, and Lídia Gulyás, social media specialist and illustrator. The jury will select the winner and runners-up from a shortlist of 10 entries. The prize of the competition is a total of 1.6 million HUF (gross), and the winning design will be displayed in 1,000 vending machines nationwide.

“MOME is eager to participate in corporate or brand collaborations that have a forward-thinking innovative purpose, representing high-quality, excellence, and an important value. MOME’s Media Institute and the Department of Graphic Design provided professional guidance and advice as well as university mobilisation for the project”, said Balázs Vargha, Head of the MOME Media Institute and a member of the jury.

 

This is not the first time Coca-Cola has shown its commitment to promoting recycling through its packaging. With this year’s Empty Bottles Also Matter campaign, the company has raised awareness of the importance of selective waste collection and reminded consumers on the caps and on their bottles that packaging of Coca-Cola products are 100% recyclable, so every bottle has a place in the circular economy.

 

Learn more about our circular economy and our World Without Waste strategy here.

 

The new CSR Report is now available

Since the rebirth of Tungsram in 2018 we have paid great attention to the solution of social issues originating from and related to our activity. We have also organised several CSR events at each of our plants. This is the third year we put together our CSR-related report to introduce our activity. On the one hand in the framework of social engagement we organise important activities (Future Talents, Fittungsram, voluntary programmes). On the other hand with human wellbeing in mind we are trying to find answers for the most pressing challenges of the present – food safety, low-energy and liveable environment, infection prevention. The global development programme of UN sets the structure of sustainable development until 2030 through 17 goals. We relate to 13 of these directly or indirectly by our business, sponsorship-related or other activity. We present our 2020 year through our activities related to social engagement in a broader sense and the UN goals in the English and Hungarian publication called CSR Report 2020. You can access and down-load the report here: https://bit.ly/3kxA7rG A limited number of reports will be soon available in printed form as well.

Households in Pécs, Hungary on the road to a lower carbon footprint lifestyle

For the second time, the GreenDependent Institute calculated the annual carbon footprint of the members of a community in Hungary: in cooperation with the Pécsimami Association, 21 households around Pécs were included in the survey. According to the project supported by Daikin Hungary, the value of residential CO2 emissions measured during the pandemic was significantly lower than before the COVID-period.

 

The main goal of the initiative is for the participating households to learn about the size of the carbon footprint associated with their daily lifestyles, which is the largest and most growing part of humanity’s ecological footprint. The GreenDependent Institute and Daikin Hungary assessed the daily carbon emissions of a Hungarian community for the second time. The two organizations measured and calculated the annual household carbon footprint of 21-21 families in Piliscsaba for 2019 and in Pécs for 2020.

The components of the carbon footprint cover 6 consumption areas, the most significant of which are household energy consumption, transport (mobility) and meals, which account for an average of 2/3 of a household’s footprint. The survey focused on four of the 6 areas for which data were collected through a self-report using an online questionnaire.

The average carbon footprint per capita of the families included in the assessment, calculated on the basis of research factors, is 2.74 t CO2 for 2020, which is a very encouraging result and supports the possibility to live on a smaller carbon footprint than an average footprint of 6.2 t CO2e / person / year. In light of this, the target of 2-2.5 t CO2e / capita / year agreed in the context of the Paris Climate Agreement does not seem achievable either.

Most of the average carbon footprint of participating households is accounted for by the energy consumption of their home. This is followed by meals, which are responsible for about a third of families ’footprints, while daily transportation is a little over a sixth of it.

However, it is important to take into account that in the epidemic year 2020, the majority of families completely paused or minimized the number of regular or leisure-related trips and vacations. These two areas accounted for only 2–2 percent of the footprint of participating families; which was much lower than in the case of the Piliscsaba community included in the calculation in the previous year, and also at the value calculated in international studies, which is at least 20% of the average carbon footprint.

In 2020, our lifestyle changed in many ways as a result of the epidemic, which resulted, among other things, in the Earth Overshoot Day being postponed 3 weeks later than in 2019. This was largely due to a decrease in the carbon footprint component, which is also supported by the results of this year’s research, particularly in relation to the travel-related carbon footprint.

Let’s not forget though, that this extraordinary year is over, and in 2021, Earth Overshoot Day was again on July 29, as it was before the pandemic, in 2019. This is why it is important that once one is familiar with the lifestyle emissions, action is being taken in order to reduce them permanently. In connection with GreenDependent’s more than a decade of experience, 10-30% energy savings, thus carbon footprint reduction, can be achieved only by changing consumer behavior without an investment involving technological modernization.

The results of the survey, as well as carbon footprint reduction opportunities through behavior change, retrofits & technology change will be discussed at a dissemination event at 3 p.m. October 14, 2021 in a hybrid form. The physical location is the new office space of Daikin Hungary (1117 Budapest, Alíz u. 3.). We also enable for you to participate virtually. Participation is free, but registration is required. To register, please fill out the form at the link: https://bit.ly/3Cdl6BA

Business Council for Sustainable Development in Hungary
1118 Budapest, Ménesi street 9/a.

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