Over 109 Million HUF: Outstanding Success for MOHU REpont Donations in the First Half of 2026

Through the MOHU REpont donations, the Hungarian public has demonstrated unprecedented solidarity in the first half of 2026. Thanks to the “Mosolyra váltó” (Changing to a Smile) program coordinated by MOHU, over 109 million forints were collected via REpont reverse vending machines between January 1 and June 30, 2026. The funds, originating from the bottle return fees offered by consumers, will assist the work of three foundations serving highly important social causes. This initiative perfectly illustrates how the mandatory return system can simultaneously strengthen the circular economy and create direct social value.

The Social Impact of MOHU REpont Donations and the Supported Organizations

The more than 109 million forints offered at the REpont machines are financing concrete and essential projects. The funding is distributed among the following three organizations and their respective programs:

• Peter Cerny Foundation for Curing Premature Babies: From the donations collected in the first half of 2026, the organization is funding the procurement of a specially equipped neonatology ambulance. This vehicle is designed explicitly for the professional rescue and transport of premature and sick newborns.

• Child Nutrition Foundation (Gyermekétkeztetési Alapítvány): The foundation is utilizing the donations within the framework of its “Fel a fejjel!” (Chin Up!) program. The collected funds will provide monthly food support for twelve months to families in need across twenty settlements.

• SOS Children’s Villages (SOS Gyermekfalvak): The organization is further developing its “Mobile Family Strengthening” program, which was launched in 2025. This initiative provides targeted assistance to disadvantaged families with young children in Kecskemét and its surroundings. The primary goal of the program is prevention, ensuring that children are not removed from their families.

MOHU’s “Mosolyra váltó” program thus creates an ongoing opportunity for the everyday bottle return process to become real, rapid help easily. It is important to note that the supported NGOs and their targeted goals are periodically renewed, ensuring that through the MOHU REpont donations, new groups in need can continuously receive meaningful support.

How Does the Return and Donation System Work in Practice?

When using the REpont machines, residents returning bottles can always choose from three different options when deciding the fate of their beverage packaging refund:

1. They can request the amount in the form of a store voucher.

2. They can transfer it directly to their own bank account via an immediate bank transfer.

3. They can offer it for a charitable cause with a single push of a button.

Those who choose the third option contribute directly to the dedicated work of the aforementioned organizations.

Nearly Half a Billion Forints for Charity Since Inception

Csaba Bozóki, Director of Institutional Waste Management at MOHU, evaluated the program regarding the results of the first half of 2026 as follows: “The REpont system simultaneously serves environmental goals and creates an opportunity for social cohesion. Every offered return fee proves that sustainable decisions can also mean direct help to those who need it most. We would like to take this opportunity to thank every consumer returning bottles who chose to donate, thereby contributing to the joint creation of real value.”

Since the introduction of the mandatory return system in 2024 and the launch of the “Mosolyra váltó” program, the commitment of the Hungarian public has remained unbroken. According to the latest data, since the very beginning, a total of more than 482 million forints has been collected for charitable purposes through the REpont machines.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• How much money was collected during the MOHU REpont donations in the first half of 2026?

  Thanks to MOHU’s “Mosolyra váltó” program, over 109 million forints were collected between January 1 and June 30, 2026.

• Which organizations were supported by the MOHU REpont donations in the first half of 2026?

  The funding supported the Peter Cerny Foundation for Curing Premature Babies, the Child Nutrition Foundation, and SOS Children’s Villages.

• How much has been donated in total since the start of the return system in 2024?

  Since the introduction of the mandatory return system in 2024, a total of more than 482 million forints has been collected for charitable purposes.

Official Source / Reference:

MOHU Press Release: Több mint 109 millió forinttal támogatták a visszaváltók a rászorulókat a REpont automatákon keresztül 2026 első félévében