City maintenance workers in the downtown area begin cleaning at dawn so that the streets are tidy when the first pedestrians arrive. However, there is still work to be done around the bottle return machines even during the day: due to heavy traffic, they have to return to these locations several times.
According to an October 10 article in Világgazdaság, the cleanliness of the areas around REpoints is a problem not only in District V. Tamás Soproni, mayor of Terézváros, wrote on Facebook that complaints are constantly coming in about Bajcsy-Zsilinszky Road and Teréz Boulevard.
## Hosing down has become a daily job
In recent weeks, City Management (Városgondnokság) staff have been working every day on the affected sections of the two roads. Depending on the weather, they wash down the areas around the return points.
Tamás Soproni also noted that both roads are maintained by the City of Budapest, and in his view the stores concerned could do more to keep things tidy. They are not, however, waiting for others to step in with the daily cleaning.
The problem doesn't stop right around the machines. Világgazdaság also reported complaints about rummaged street bins, scattered waste and damaged building gates. Because of the 50-forint deposit, some people search street and building bins for bottles.
## Patrols stepped up after a threat
A conflict that broke out in front of a Lidl in District V exacerbated the situation. Citing a statement from the person who took the video, the newspaper reported that a man returning bottles may have made death threats against one of the store’s employees.
Mayor Péter Szentgyörgyvölgyi said a police report had been filed. The local government is in talks with the store chain, and public space inspectors check the REpont points more often, especially those that draw more complaints from residents. The mayor has also asked the Budapest Police Headquarters for a stronger police presence.
## Mohu promises cooperation
In response to a previous inquiry from Világgazdaság, Mohu acknowledged that the social impacts of the bottle return system must also be addressed. The company stated that it will review feedback and suggestions regarding the system’s operation and is prepared to work with the stakeholders.
The company said: “The primary aim of the deposit return system is to protect the environment and ensure proper waste management.”
The locations on Bajcsy-Zsilinszky út and Teréz körút are cleaned daily, as long as the weather permits. You can also expect to see public space inspectors more frequently at the REpoints in District V.
Source: Világgazdaság
