Tips and Tricks for a More Sustainable Office
Budapest, September 24, 2024 – Office buildings are adapting in a variety of ways to the
challenges brought about by Hungary’s new deposit return scheme for recyclable
waste. From replacing bottled water with larger water dispensers, to collective
collection and return systems, or even installing RePont machines in offices,
several creative ideas have emerged in recent months. The aim is to promote
environmental awareness among employees and lead by example. There’s always
room to further foster sustainability, even through individual initiatives—such
as ICON’s second-hand furniture reuse program.
In today’s world, the environmental awareness of both office buildings and employers is increasingly seen as a key HR consideration. For potential employees, the location and amenities of the office, or the availability of nearby services, are now weighed alongside a company’s commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility. So how can an office building adapt to the new deposit return system? How can companies encourage their employees to act more consciously? And what small actions can lead to greater energy efficiency in office spaces? We explore these questions with the help of Róbert Flück, Operations Director at ICON.
A Fundamental Shift in Waste Management
As of this year, Hungary has fundamentally changed how recyclable waste is handled. Instead of the traditional selective collection system, a refundable deposit of HUF 50 now encourages the return of bottles and containers—a challenge for workplaces and offices alike. Every landlord and tenant must now find a solution for managing returnable bottles and glass containers.
“There are many good solutions—some places collect the bottles together and a designated employee returns them, then they buy treats for the team from the deposit refund.
The new system also encourages companies to avoid returnable packaging altogether in favor of simpler, more sustainable alternatives such as water dispensers, tap water served in jugs, or filtered water.
We’re also aware of office buildings currently exploring the installation of RePont machines. While this naturally requires extra effort from tenants—both in logistics and cleaning—it sets a great example for employees,”
–said Róbert Flück, Operations Director at ICON.
Hungary Joins the European DRS Movement
With Hungary and Ireland joining this year, a total of 16 European countries now operate under a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS). Germany leads the way, with a 98% return rate for PET bottles. Even Slovakia, which only launched its system two years ago, has reached an impressive 92% return rate. Hungary’s DRS operator, MoHu, has committed to reaching a minimum 90% return rate within three years.
Beyond Recycling: Company-Led Initiatives
Simply providing selective waste bins is no longer enough. Every company shares responsibility for introducing innovative and proactive sustainability practices.
“One such initiative is ICON’s used furniture reuse program. The idea is to give a second life to furniture that tenants no longer need but is still in good condition.
We resell these pieces at discounted prices, and we handle the entire process—from assessment and planning to transport and placement.
Based on our experience, this environmentally conscious approach is popular with both the companies selling and those buying the furniture,”
–Flück added.
The Most Sustainable Energy is the One Not Used
The biggest savings, however, don’t come from recycling—they come from reducing consumption altogether. From a sustainability perspective, the best energy is the energy not used. Employees can contribute to energy efficiency through surprisingly small actions. Róbert Flück mentioned as an example that it is still common for people to open windows in air-conditioned spaces in order to improve air circulation, even though this could be resolved through awareness, proper use of cooling systems, or by using a separate fan. In such cases, a responsible operator, upon recognizing the problem, can make suggestions for a solution.
