The Deposit-Refund System (DRS) was introduced in Hungary in 2024 as a new element of the country’s waste management framework to strengthen circular economy objectives. Before the system implementation, consumer attitudes and expectations were explored in a large-scale survey conducted by Sz?cs et al. (2024), which identified both promising support and considerable concerns regarding the system’s economic, environmental, and practical implications. Building on this earlier research present study looks at the first year of the Hungarian DRS operation and focuses on how consumers experienced the system compared to their earlier expectations. Based on a nationwide reach consumer survey (N = 527) conducted in mid-2025, reveals that 96.6% of the respondents used the system at least once, and over 75% expressed positive or neutral experience. Overall environmental motivation and general understanding of the system were strong. However, technical problems such as machine malfunctions (reported by 72.7% of respondents) and practical issues (like limited storage space at home) still cause difficulties. Interestingly, respondents with higher environmental awareness tended to evaluate the system more positively, even when they encountered these problems. Although acceptance of the DRS has grown in some groups, ongoing challenges related to convenience, infrastructure, and communication continue to influence overall satisfaction. By comparing preliminary attitudes with implementation experiences, this study provides a systematic evaluation of the DRS’s first-year performance and offers evidence-based insights for policymakers, system operators, and stakeholders to improve effectiveness and public trust in long term.
Natural mineral soil amendments are receiving renewed attention in organic and regenerative viticulture because they can connect traditional local resources with soil remediation, soil-life restoration and climate adaptation. This partly protocol-based scoping narrative review synthesises evidence on rock powders, zeolites, clays, carbonates, gypsum, perlite, vermiculite, alginite and humic mineral materials. The review evaluates their roles in nutrient buffering, pH and cation-exchange regulation, water retention, microbial habitat formation, heavy-metal immobilisation and carbon-stabilising soil structure. It argues that mineral amendments are most effective when used with organic matter, cover crops, reduced tillage and locally adapted vineyard-floor management, rather than as stand-alone substitutes for fertilisers. Comparative tables and decision matrices are provided to link amendment choice to soil pH, texture, salinity, contamination risk, climate stress and organic certification rules. The paper highlights Central European resources, especially volcanic and organic-mineral deposits, while placing them in a global viticultural and agroecological context. The main limitations are slow and site-dependent nutrient release, potential contamination, over-mineralisation, extraction and transport impacts, cost, and uneven field evidence in vineyards. Future research should prioritise long-term replicated vineyard trials, microbial and rhizosphere indicators, life-cycle assessment and practical guidance for certified organic farms.
Researchers increasingly encounter the term ecosystem when discussing short rotation coppice (SRC) on agricultural land. It is used even though the basic literature has never precisely defined this ecosystem and determined its classification as a forest or agroecosystem. The study was based on official catalogues of biotopes and plant communities in Central and Eastern Europe (Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Hungary), as well as on our 15-year research in Slovakia. We evaluated (i) the structure and functions of forests, agroecosystems, and SRCs, and (ii) their ecosystem services (ES) and ecosystem disservices (EDS). Individual characteristics and processes were assessed and compared using principal component analysis. It was found that 50% of the evaluated structural and functional properties of SRCs are similar to forests and 40% to agroecosystems (10% are significantly transitional). In the case of ES and EDS, the similarity of SRC was 10% to forests and 20% to agroecosystems, with a strongly transitional state found in 70% of cases. SRC has a tree layer (canopy) with the characteristics of forest stands, and the herb layer is mainly formed by species from agroecosystems, whose development is, however, limited and they grow near their pessimum (lower light intensity, etc.). SRC can be considered a new, transitional type of ecosystem that cannot be clearly assigned to existing categories. This finding is relevant not only for ecology but also for economics and has practical implications for ecosystem classification, land-use legislation, and conflict resolution between farmers and foresters.
Harvest-time conditions can vary considerably within a single day, yet their influence on wine aroma development is still not fully understood. In this study, the effect of thermal conditions at harvest—comparing night and midday picking—was examined in relation to the volatile composition and sensory expression of Hárslevel? wines from the Tokaj region. The work is considered within the broader context of low-input and climate-adaptive winemaking, although no direct environmental measurements were performed. Grapes were harvested on the same day, either during the night under cool pre-dawn conditions (18 °C) or at midday under higher ambient temperatures (28 °C), and processed using controlled microvinification protocols. Bioprotection with Metschnikowia pulcherrima was applied either alone or in combination with SO?. Volatile compounds were analysed by HS-SPME–GC–MS on a semi-quantitative basis, and the resulting dataset was evaluated using exploratory multivariate approaches. Sensory assessment followed OIV guidelines and was interpreted primarily as descriptive qualitative evaluation. Across treatments, wines produced from night-harvested grapes were more often associated with volatile compounds linked to fresh, floral and citrus-related sensory attributes. By contrast, wines obtained from midday-harvested grapes tended to show riper aromatic profiles together with higher perceived acidity. The use of bioprotection was associated with a greater diversity of fermentation-derived aroma compounds; however, it did not eliminate the differentiation related to harvest-time conditions. A similar pattern was observed in the sensory data, where wines from night-harvested grapes were generally described as having higher aromatic purity, freshness and overall harmony. Taken together, these observations point to a potential role of harvest-time conditions—including temperature and associated environmental factors—in shaping aromatic expression in dry white wines. Under the conditions of this study, cooler harvest conditions—especially when combined with bioprotection—appear to support aroma preservation and stylistic balance. At the same time, the study did not include direct measurements of environmental performance. For this reason, any interpretation of these practices as climate-adaptive should be understood in a conceptual and process-oriented sense, rather than as quantitatively demonstrated sustainability outcomes.
Tokaji natural sweet wines are climate-sensitive cultural-heritage products. Their production depends on Botrytis cinerea, autumn humidity, dry ripening periods and grape varieties authorized by the Tokaj PDO, while their market future depends on consumer learning, gastronomy, wine tourism and regional sustainability. This exploratory mixed-methods study reframes consumer acceptance of Tokaji sweet wines as a socio-ecological resilience problem. A structured narrative review of peer-reviewed and official sources was combined with an anonymous cross-sectional online survey of Hungarian adult wine consumers not working in viticulture or winemaking (N=100; 30 July 2024-26 August 2024). Respondents were classified as current Tokaji sweet-wine consumers/buyers (n=37), rejecters (n=43) and potential consumers (n=20). Likert-scale variables were analysed by descriptive statistics, Kruskal-Wallis tests, Holm-adjusted Mann-Whitney comparisons and Spearman rank correlations. Flavour was the most important wine-choice factor in all groups (mean 4.73-4.80/5) but did not differ significantly between groups (H=0.12, p=0.944). Group differences were strongest for sweet-wine beliefs: rejecters agreed more with the statement "I do not like the flavour of sweet wine" (mean 3.21) than current consumers (mean 1.41), while current consumers attached higher symbolic and gift value to Tokaji sweet specialities. Because the sample was small, urban, highly educated and non-representative, the results should be interpreted as pilot evidence. The paper proposes a regenerative wine-tourism and consumer-education model linking product knowledge, food pairing, heritage interpretation and climate-adaptive viticulture to the resilience of the Tokaj cultural landscape.
The Slovak automotive sector is a major contributor to the national economy and hosts several Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) with diverse production profiles. Increasing environmental and sustainability commitments have reshaped production strategies and accelerated the adoption of cleaner technologies. Environmental Performance Indicators (EPIs) provide a quantitative basis for assessing plant-level environmental efficiency and benchmarking against Best Available Techniques (BAT) defined in the BAT Reference Document for Surface Treatment using Solvents (BAT STS BREF). This study presents a quantitative, observational comparison of plant- and paint-shop-level EPIs for three OEMs operating in Slovakia in 2024. The analysis covers energy consumption, carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions, volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions, water consumption, wastewater generation, and waste generation, normalised per complete vehicle and, where relevant, per painted vehicle body and per square metre of coated surface. Substantial inter-factory variability was observed, with paint-shop operations identified as the primary driver of performance differences. OEM 2 demonstrated the strongest overall environmental performance, recording the lowest CO2e emissions (0.08 t CO2e·veh-1), lowest VOC emissions (8.66 g VOC·m-2), and relatively low water use and wastewater generation, while meeting most BAT benchmarks for energy (0.46 MWh·veh-1), water per coated body, and VOC emissions. However, OEM 2 also generated the highest plant-level waste (186 kg·veh-1). In contrast, OEM 3 exhibited the weakest performance, with the highest energy consumption (1.35 MWh·veh-1), plant-level water use (3.10 m3·veh-1), and wastewater discharges (plant-level: 2.81 m3·veh-1; paint shop: 1.55 m3·veh-1), and failed to meet BAT benchmarks for paint-shop waste generation (26.05 kg·veh-1) and water use (1.9 m3·veh-1). Although energy use per painted body and VOC emissions remained within BAT-associated levels, none of the OEMs complied with indicative BAT benchmarks for waste generation. This study provides the first cross-OEM, plant-level EPI benchmarking of the Slovak automotive sector and highlights the need for harmonised, industry-wide EPI reporting to support transparency and continuous improvement.
In recent decades, the role of horses has increasingly shifted toward sport and leisure, resulting in heightened attention to their long-term health and welfare. Parallel to a broader interest in natural therapies, the application of herbal medicine in equine care has gained momentum. Commonly used medicinal plants - such as Harpagophytum procumbens (devil’s claw), Matricaria chamomilla (chamomile), Taraxacum officinale (dandelion), and Allium sativum (garlic) - are employed to support digestive, immune, and musculoskeletal functions. Although generally considered safe, some herbs may elicit side effects, necessitating professional guidance in their administration. Hungary possesses a longstanding tradition in medicinal plant cultivation, facilitated by favorable pedoclimatic conditions. The country is divided into six principal cultivation zones and remains a key European producer, particularly of chamomile. Despite its ecological benefits - such as enhancing agro-biodiversity and promoting organic agriculture - the sector faces several challenges, including labor shortages, market fluctuations, and environmental concerns such as overharvesting and climate change. Sustainable cultivation practices and increased ecological awareness are critical for the resilience and future of this field. As a supplement to our work, we prepared a questionnaire for domestic horse owners regarding the use of medicinal herbs. Our questionnaire-based study revealed that the majority of horse owners are familiar with, and actively utilize, herbal products, primarily for managing respiratory, musculoskeletal, and gastrointestinal conditions. The significance of using medicinal herbs in horses is also supported by the results of two of our previously published experiments. In these two controlled feeding trials, we demonstrated that specific herbal mixtures, administered in dried or fermented form, significantly improved the digestibility of crude fiber, crude protein, and dry matter. The preparations were well tolerated, with no adverse effects observed. These findings suggest that phytotherapeutic supplementation may offer a viable, natural strategy to support equine gastrointestinal health. However, further research is warranted to optimize herbal formulations and to evaluate efficacy across larger, more diverse equine populations.
The tyre-derived transformation product 6PPD-quinone (6PPD-q) poses a growing threat to aquatic ecosystems, particularly sensitive salmonid species. However, practical and affordable treatment options remain limited. This study investigated the potential of sewage-sludge-based activated carbon (SBAC) produced via ZnCl2 activation and pyrolysis as a sustainable adsorbent for removing 6PPD-q from contaminated water and advancing circular-economy approaches for sludge valorisation. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy revealed the presence of oxygen-containing surface groups on SBAC that can facilitate hydrogen bonding and p–p interactions with 6PPD-q. Batch adsorption experiments were performed to evaluate equilibrium behaviour and thermodynamic properties under controlled conditions. Results showed rapid uptake, achieving >99% removal from an initial concentration of 200 microg/L within 0.5 h at pH 3.5. The Langmuir model best fit the equilibrium data, with R2 value of 0.95, yielding a maximum adsorption capacity of 583.3 microg/g. Thermodynamic analysis indicated a spontaneous and endothermic process, suggesting chemisorption as the dominant mechanism. The adsorption efficiency remained stable within the temperature range of 7°C–35°C, and sequential treatments maintained high removal performance. The experimental results demonstrate that SBAC is an efficient and low-cost adsorbent for mitigating 6PPD-q contamination in stormwater, offering a sustainable solution for valorising sewage sludge within circular economy frameworks.
The global transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy is reshaping labor markets while simultaneously offering significant environmental benefits. This study provides the first Systematic Literature Review (SLR) that integrates evidence across diverse geographic contexts, a broad range of renewable energy technologies, and multiple labor market outcomes, including job creation, job quality, skills development, and distributional effects, while explicitly incorporating associated environmental co-benefits and trade-offs. The review assesses key labor market implications of the energy transition, including sectoral employment shifts and workforce reskilling needs. The findings indicate that renewable energy deployment generally leads to net job gains, particularly in solar, wind, and hydropower sectors, and supports more inclusive labor market opportunities, including marginalized groups. However, the distribution of these gains remains uneven across regions, with fossil fuel–dependent areas facing employment risks and requiring targeted support. Beyond the socioeconomic dimension, the review shows that the expansion of green jobs contributes to broader sustainability goals by reducing carbon emissions, improving air quality, and enhancing ecosystem resilience. The study further highlights the critical role of education systems, skills development, and policy instruments, such as carbon pricing and local employment incentives, in enabling a just and environmentally restorative energy transition.
Ten years of scientific journal publication rarely provide sufficient data for comprehensive analysis, especially in the case of a young journal that is still finding its footing. Ecocycles is an exception to this rule: thanks to the conscious efforts of the editorial board and the coherent expansion of the journal's thematic scope, a wealth of data and content has been accumulated that allows for a detailed examination of publication and author patterns, thematic orientations, and the utilization of publications. The study not only evaluates the first ten years of Ecocycles but also provides a method and example of how to analyze the operation of a relatively new scientific journal in a methodologically sound manner, on multiple levels and within multiple interpretative frameworks. The procedures and lessons presented here can be adapted for other journals, especially those seeking to position themselves in the scientific field along the lines of interdisciplinarity, transdisciplinarity and sustainability. The results of the research have shown that the evaluation of scientific publications cannot be reduced to purely quantitative indicators, but must also take into account the format, accessibility, and social context of scientific communication. As an open access journal, Ecocycles aligns itself with the new norms of scientific communication and dissemination in this sense, and is increasingly becoming part of a global scientific system characterized by openness, interactivity, and a unique interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approach.
FinTech banking solutions offer a valuable set of technological tools that can be used to improve sustainability. Therefore, consumer acceptance and applicability of FinTech solutions is an important issue, especially among Generation Z, as this age group represents a relevant segment of future consumers. According to studies, men have a more positive attitude towards technology adoption than women. It is important to understand the mindset of women in this context, and this paper focuses on them to analyse the key determinants of FinTech service usage. Therefore, the objective of this analysis is to examine the attitudes of Generation Z women in Hungary by assessing the factors that influence their use of FinTech services. The novelty of the analysis lies in the selected population, as women are less likely than their male counterparts to have digital skills in a professional capacity. This may be reflected in their openness to financial technology solutions. The analysis is based on a questionnaire due to its sociological dimension, with a prospective sample of university students from Gy?r. The methodology is based on factor analysis, which is capable of distinguishing the factors that influence the use of FinTech services based on a statistical analysis of variables (Likert scale). The results show that there are several factors influencing women's FinTech usage habits, which service providers should pay attention to. The findings of the current study can help FinTech companies shape their marketing and service strategies to improve their ability to reach and retain potential and existing female customers.
Forest fires are gaining attention as a climate issue because they release greenhouse gases—mainly CO2—and because the forests that burn lose their ability to store carbon. In Hungary, the direct CO2 emissions from forest fires make up only about 0.29% of the country’s yearly emissions, but they still matter in the bigger climate picture. However, the long-term cumulative impact, the high emission rate per hectare and the resulting reduction in CO2 removal capacity are strategically important issues in achieving the 2050 climate neutrality goals. This research fills a research gap. It provides a quantitative analysis of forest fire emissions and removal losses using data from the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS) and national forestry statistics. The total CO2-related climate burden is projected to be approximately 4,300 kt by 2050. Despite modest absolute values, forest fires represent an under-recognized but growing risk in national climate planning. The results support the need for long-term policy integration of fire mitigation, afforestation and forest management strategies. This study provides a replicable methodology and practical knowledge for shaping climate policy in smaller EU Member States.
The Canary Islands, an Atlantic archipelago of volcanic origin, offer an extraordinary case study of the interplay between geology and viticulture. Forged by millennia of hotspot volcanism, these islands boast dramatic landscapes characterized by volcanic soils (picón), microclimatic diversity, and ecological richness. This unique confluence of natural factors has not only shaped the environment but also defined the character and identity of the region’s wines. This article delves into the volcanic terroirs of the Canary Islands, with a particular focus on the iconic regions of Lanzarote and Tenerife. Through a multidisciplinary approach encompassing geology, viticulture, and oenology, we aim to unravel the complexities of these volcanic vineyards. We explore how the islands’ geological legacy and microclimatic nuances influence vine cultivation practices, enhance the organoleptic properties of the wines, and contribute to a viticultural identity that is as distinctive as it is resilient. From Lanzarote’s La Geria, where traditional practices transform volcanic ash fields into strikingly innovative vineyards, to Tenerife’s ancient grape varieties thriving on terraced slopes, the Canary Islands demonstrate a remarkable synergy between human ingenuity and natural beauty. These vineyards, integral to the Canarian landscape, are a testament to the enduring relationship between cultural heritage and ecological sustainability. In this study, we examine the challenges and opportunities facing this viticultural heritage, while offering insights into its potential for innovation and sustainability in an evolving global wine market. The region’s success is presented as a blueprint for sustainability in the face of global climate change through maintaining high-quality, distinctive wines applying organic and biodynamic methods. The most important scientific contribution of this case study is the holistic, ecosystem-centred analysis of this unique viticulture in terms of ungrafted vine cultivation, the significant gene-bank potential of the ancient grape varieties, the possibilities of developing organic circular bioeconomy-based viticultural practices in extreme wine terroirs, and the mitigation of the adverse impacts of climate change. Furthermore, by bridging ecological, agricultural, oenological, and economic perspectives, the profound impact of isolated volcanic terroirs on the Canary Islands’ viticulture and winemaking and their unique contributions to the broader world of viticulture is presented.
This article examines the challenges, scenarios, and future of solid waste management (SWM) in Ukrainian communities. Urgency stems from worsening environmental conditions and Ukraine’s commitments under the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement. Over the past decade, initiatives like the National Waste Management Strategy till 2030 have promoted recycling, reuse, and systematic SWM. The study analyzes current waste management and recycling practices, community-level efficiency, and technical and financial aspects of disposal and recycling methods. Using qualitative methods, it evaluates scenarios and optimal strategies, highlighting the need for infrastructure modernization, investment, and stronger local coordination to achieve an EU-aligned, sustainable SWM system. This study advances knowledge by combining scenario-based modeling with qualitative assessment to evaluate Ukraine’s municipal waste management under post-war reconstruction and EU circular economy principles. It introduces an adaptable framework integrating environmental accounting, investment estimation, and governance analysis for community-level systems. Unlike previous descriptive studies, it provides scenario-driven evidence to guide policy and financial decisions for Ukraine’s gradual EU alignment. The ongoing Russian invasion, which has disrupted infrastructure and generated hazardous waste, adds complexity to data collection and investment assessments, and should be considered when interpreting the results.
ESG ratings are crucial tools that align financial strategies with the purpose of sustainability. Their reliability is often undermined because biases distort their comparability and dependability. The present study offers a novel contribution to the multidimensional analysis of biases in ESG ratings. Focusing on methodological inconsistencies, like firm size disparities, media influence, and self-disclosure practices. The unique contribution is integrating a behavioural finance perspective, considering psychological biases related to confirmation, overconfidence and herding behaviour factors that affect investor interpretation of ESG scores. This study synthesizes literature from diverse sources to identify the combined effects of these biases on capital allocation, market dynamics, and sustainable investment outcomes. It is a call for standardized ESG rating methodologies, increased transparency, and heightened awareness in practice to overcome these biases effectively. The actionable insights provided will help policymakers, rating agencies, and investors to create a more equitable and trustworthy ESG evaluation frameworks.
This study explores the relationship between corporate credit ratings, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) ratings, and Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions for the largest 100 publicly traded companies by market capitalization in the U.S. and the EU. By integrating credit ratings from Moody’s and S&P Global, ESG ratings from Refinitiv and S&P Global, and emissions data from corporate sustainability reports, this research addresses the inconsistencies in how emissions transparency impacts creditworthiness. Employing statistical analyses such as correlation, regression, and quartile comparisons, the study provides novel insights into the weak association between ESG ratings and actual emissions performance. The findings reveal that higher credit-rated companies tend to report higher Scope 1 and 2 emissions, while ESG ratings, despite being seen as indicators of sustainability, fail to consistently reflect a company’s emissions data, particularly Scope 3 emissions. This study contributes to the literature by underlining the methodological divergences among ESG rating agencies, emphasizing their limited alignment with environmental performance metrics. Highlighting the need for a standardized ESG reporting framework, this paper calls attention to the limitations of current ESG scores as a proxy for corporate sustainability and their implications for credit rating assessments.
The design and use of banking services may be an important part of sustainability efforts. The implementation of automated teller machine (ATM) services and offerings has a considerable impact on the economic viability and sustainability of banks. The use of such services enhances the security of transactions and reduces paper-based environmental damage. In Hungary, the use of cash is still widely accepted, expected, and applied as a method of saving and paying money. Therefore, the aspects of sustainability and consumer interests indicate a similarity of interests in this country, which makes an analysis of the perception of the ATM user experience crucial. However, research tends to concentrate on the phenomenon of financial digitalization and fintech, which indicates a research gap in the field of research on consumer perception of ATM use. Therefore, the objective of this research is to explore the factors that influence ATM use through attitudinal research. The questionnaire survey resulted in a sample of 214. Data were processed using factor analysis to identify key factors of ATM use. The results suggest that simplicity and reliability factors influence bank customers' satisfaction with ATM usage. The high demand for access to cash is also indicated by the fact that ease of use and 24/7 access to ATMs are the most important issues for customers. The novelty of this study lies in its attempt to link the proportion of image use typical of the Central European region with sustainability goals, thereby highlighting that optimizing the user experience is key.
In recent decades, the steady increase in plastic packaging waste has presented humanity with an increasingly difficult challenge. In order to solve the waste management problem, a deposit refund system is one option that has been proposed. This system was introduced in Hungary on January 1, 2024. In order to improve this system, our study aimed to collect good practices from countries that have been using DRS for a long time. To this, we conducted a comparative analysis of the six countries (Sweden, Iceland, Finland, Norway, Denmark, Germany) that have been using the system the longest. We examined plastic waste and its recycling rate, recycling and return rates, the number of return points per capita, the relationship between average wages and deposit fees, and the types of systems. Finally, we compiled a list of best practices and highlighted those that we believe could be used to improve the Hungarian system. This includes the convenient location and smooth operation of vending machines, communication with consumers, the involvement of multiple actors, and the use of mobile collection points.
Oil beetles (genus Meloe, order Coleoptera) comprise over 150 species with 55 entries in GenBank to date. One of the first Meloe species was described by Linné, K. [1707–1771] M. proscarabaeus (black oil beetle) applying the early theory of Bauhin, C. [1560–1624] who suggested first the use of binomial nomenclature to describe plant and animal species. After Linné, further Meloe species were described, e.g., M. hungarus identified by Paula Schrank [1747–1835] 1776, working in city Selmecbánya, Hungarian Kingdom, Europe. Here we analyze sequences of DNA of mitogenomes (mtDNA), genes and proteins of Meloe species based on in silico data mining, sequence and cladogram analyses to reveal new phylogenetic and molecular relationships among and within Meloe species. A protein cladogram of NADH dehydrogenase subunit5 (mtDNA, 577 aa) of Meloe species revealed that M. proscarabaeus shows the closest similarity to M. poggii at the highest bootstrap (100) level. In the analysis of complete mtDNA genomes (16.154 DNA bp each) the oil beetle species of the three main genera of Meloe, Epicauta and Hycleus were discriminated sharply at high (95-100) bootstrap levels which result may provide a direct marker for molecular identification of oil beetles. In the analysis of nuclear wingless gene (wg) sequences (514 DNA bp each), and cladogram analysis the two species of M. proscarabaeus and Mylabris amorii showed distinct clade, which indicated multifunctional roles of wg genes in oil beetles. The survey of a biochemical marker revealed that not only oil beetles but plants, e.g., Butea frondosa (flame-of-the-forest) tropical tree (Fabaceae), contains cantharidin (C10H12O4; MW: 196.2 g/mol) and a related compound palasonin (i.e., demethylcantharidin; C9H10O4; MW: 182.17 g/mol) (https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov).
In 2024, Hungary implemented a nationwide Deposit-Refund System (DRS) for single-use beverage containers to promote recycling and reduce environmental waste. This study provides a follow-up assessment of consumer reactions one year after the system’s launch, highlighting the evolution of public attitudes and behavioural adaptation over time. Based on an online survey conducted in early 2025 with 1,475 respondents, our analysis reveals a notable shift from initial scepticism to broader acceptance of the DRS. While early concerns focused on inconvenience, subsequent user experience has led to more favourable perceptions, with over half of respondents now supporting the initiative. Importantly, our study identifies persistent operational challenges – such as machine reliability and limited return infrastructure – that continue to undermine user satisfaction. This research offers novel insights into the temporal dynamics of consumer acceptance in environmental policy adoption by comparing current attitudes with pre-implementation expectations. The findings contribute to the growing literature on circular economy tools by underscoring the need for continuous system refinement and targeted communication to sustain public engagement with deposit-refund schemes.
