The waste collection situation in Szentendre has become untenable, as MOHU Budapest Zrt., which has been providing the service since January 1, 2026, has been unable to properly fulfill its duties in certain parts of the city for weeks. Due to the emerging public health and cityscape problems, as well as the large number of residential complaints, Mayor Zsolt Fülöp first consulted with the company’s regional coordinator, and then, in the absence of a meaningful improvement in the situation, addressed an open letter to Zsolt Hernádi, Chairman and CEO of MOL.
Background and the Root of the Problem: Garbage Piling Up on the Streets for Weeks
In recent weeks, a significant number of residential complaints have been directed at MOHU’s waste collection service in the city of Szentendre. The problem primarily affects the mountainous areas, particularly the Pismány district. In this area, it frequently occurs that selective waste is not collected according to the pre-determined schedule. In other places, household municipal waste accumulates on the streets for weeks.
The legitimate expectation of Szentendre residents paying a service fee for waste collection is regular transport at predictable, announced times, which MOHU currently fails to fulfill on a regular basis. The situation has become so severe that the large mass of uncollected garbage has created conditions that are untenable from both a public health and cityscape perspective, which has understandably sparked significant public outrage among the population.
Technical Obstacles: Narrow Streets and Oversized Vehicles
Reacting to the continuous residential complaints, Mayor Zsolt Fülöp contacted the competent regional coordinator of MOHU Budapest Zrt. to clarify the situation. During the consultation, the company stated that the primary reason for the service disruption is of a technical nature. The large-sized garbage trucks used by MOHU are not suitable for navigating the narrow, mountainous streets. The waste management company indicated to the municipality that it plans to expand its vehicle fleet by involving smaller, rented vehicles to overcome the problem.
The Municipality’s Compromise Proposals and Supportive Actions
From the moment MOHU entered the market, the Szentendre municipality has strived to support a smooth service transition. The municipal company previously responsible for waste collection and gathering tasks, Városi Szolgáltató Nonprofit Zrt. (VSZ), willingly cooperated with the new service provider and handed over all information to MOHU. In addition, the municipality temporarily took over the continued operation of the local Waste Yard to ensure uninterrupted service:
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Under the contract, VSZ initially undertook the maintenance of the Waste Yard for a four-month period.
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Subsequently, the contract was modified, and the operation was extended until the end of the year, giving MOHU time to prepare for taking over the task.
In response to the logistical problems caused by the narrow mountain streets, the mayor also offered an immediate solution to the company. Zsolt Fülöp proposed that MOHU rent and take over the smaller waste collection trucks owned by VSZ, which have not yet been sold. These vehicles have already proven themselves in the narrow streets in the past. At the mayor’s initiative, MOHU executives and VSZ have begun negotiations on the possible rental of the proven trucks, which could also be deployed in MOHU’s equipment fleet.
Open Letter to Zsolt Hernádi: The Need for Ownership Intervention
Since the conditions did not improve despite the municipal assistance and the offered vehicle takeover alternatives, Zsolt Fülöp drafted an open letter on June 11, 2026. He addressed the inquiry to Zsolt Hernádi, the Chairman and CEO of MOL Nyrt., which owns MOHU as a subsidiary.
The mayor explained in the letter that the company’s operation and the current situation represent an unacceptable step back compared to the previously customary service standard in the city. The city administration is aware that MOHU employees carry out their work according to the company’s approved business plan and budgetary constraints. For this very reason, Zsolt Fülöp requested the immediate intervention of the company management and the ownership circle in his open letter. The mayor expects them to make the ownership decisions and take the necessary steps that are essential for restoring the waste collection public service undertaken in the concession contract in a fair, reliable, and expected manner.
Summary of Quantitative and Temporal Data
Based on the sources, the following key numerical and temporal data can be recorded regarding the current situation:
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January 1, 2026 – MOHU Budapest Zrt. officially took over the waste collection public service in Szentendre on this date.
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4 months – VSZ originally undertook the operation of the Waste Yard for this amount of time to assist the transition.
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Until the end of the year – According to the modified contract, the municipal company operates the Waste Yard until this date.
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For weeks – Uncollected selective and household waste has been sitting on the streets in certain parts of the city for this long.
Reference Links and Sources:
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Original announcements serving as the basis for the processing:
