Suspended Waste Pre-treatment and Roadblocks in Marcali: An Overview of the Conflict Between MOHU and the Local Public Service Provider

In recent days, the escalating conflict between MTKSZ Marcali and Region Public Service Provider Nonprofit Ltd. and MOHU Mol Waste Management Private Co. Ltd. has garnered significant attention. At the center of the dispute is the suspension of operations at the Marcali waste pre-treatment facility, a step taken by MOHU following an inspection. In response to the decision, the public service provider, which serves 31 municipalities and employs 55 people, has launched a demonstration. In our article, based on available official state news agency (MTI) information and quantitative data, we objectively present the current situation, the positions of the parties, and the economic and environmental consequences of the case.

The Root of the Conflict: Inspection and Suspension

The situation deteriorated in the first half of June when MOHU conducted an inspection at the MTKSZ site, the Marcali MBH waste sorting plant. According to the concession company, several repeated and documented irregularities were uncovered during the investigation. The main source of the conflict stemmed from accusations that waste, which should not have been accepted, entered the facility.

According to MOHU’s official statement, the objectionable materials included elements classified as hazardous waste, such as medical and healthcare waste, including expired syringes. The company’s position is that these hazardous materials were mixed with pre-treated municipal waste without prior treatment at the site. According to MOHU, this practice made the further recovery and proper treatment of the waste impossible. Consequently, the company ordered an internal investigation and suspended the operation of the waste pre-treatment facility until its conclusion. MOHU emphasized that the investigation is still ongoing and, in their judgment, the plant has not yet been able to prove that the problems have been resolved.

The Position of MTKSZ and the Drastic Economic Stakes

Ibolya Krajczár, the managing director of the Marcali public service provider—the municipally-owned MTKSZ Marcali and Region Public Service Provider Nonprofit Ltd.—outlined the company’s position in a statement to the state news agency. The company rejects the accusations and asserts that, in their view, they have committed nothing to justify MOHU conducting an investigation against them. According to the head of the company, the identified errors—that certain wastes touched each other or inappropriate materials got into the larger volume of secondary waste—have already been corrected, and this was reported to the concessionaire multiple times.

The economic impacts of the suspension are critical for the company. According to publicly available company data, MTKSZ generated a sales revenue of HUF 1.447 billion in 2024 and HUF 1.455 billion in 2025, while their after-tax profit decreased from HUF 58.5 million in 2024 to HUF 21.2 million last year. The company performs the pre-treatment of approximately 45,000 tons of mixed waste annually as contract work for MOHU, and this activity accounts for the majority of the company’s revenue. The managing director of the company, which employs 55 workers, warned: without the pre-treatment revenue, the company could go bankrupt within a month or two.

Demonstration and Roadblocks for an Agreement

Due to the uncertain vision of the future and the suspension of the activity, MTKSZ has started exerting pressure. On Thursday and Friday, the company completely blocked the road leading to the local landfill in its entire width at various times using its vehicles.

The demonstration is planned to remain long-term. Based on Ibolya Krajczár’s information, between July 6 and July 29, on working days from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., they will continue to draw attention with half-lane roadblocks. The managing director emphasized: they will immediately suspend the protest as soon as they achieve their goal. The public service provider officially indicated to MOHU that their demonstration is not directed against the concession contract or the company, but in defense of their jobs and in protest against waste disposal without pre-treatment. No response has been received from MOHU to this inquiry.

Environmental Concerns and the Future of Residential Service

During normal operations, MTKSZ sorts out metals and high-calorific fuel usable in cement factories from the incoming 45,000 tons of waste. As a result, typically only 30-40 percent of the total waste amount actually ends up in the landfill.

Following the current measure, the incoming waste is sent directly to the landfill without pre-treatment. According to the Marcali company management, although this practice is a cheaper financial solution, it is incorrect from an environmental perspective. Conversely, MOHU argues that the primary goal of their measures is the protection of the population, workers, and the environment, enforcing safe and lawful operations in accordance with legislation and contractual obligations. During this period, the waste is also being diverted from the facility.

Both parties confirmed: the current situation and the suspension do not affect residential waste collection at all. The waste management public service of the region encompassing 31 municipalities continues to operate continuously, safely, and undisturbed despite the conflict.

References and Sources:

• State News Agency Source (MTI)

• Publicly available, verified source of the full MTI news: Marcali Portál – Folytatta demonstrációját a marcali közszolgáltató…