Fair Világ

 

 

 

 

 

Greenpeace Hungary

Humusz -Hungarian Waste Working Group

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Messzelátó Nature Conservation Association

 

 

 

 

 

Ökoszolgálat/Ecoserivice

 

 

 

  Association of Conscious Consumers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Védegylet

 

 

Biokultura -Hungarian Organic Farmers' Association

The Recycling Myth - REDUCE and REUSE

I am not a fan of recycling. Yes, it makes us feel good, but the waste is still produced and it gives us a false sense of security thinking that once the paper or bottle goes into a selective collection bin the problem is taken care of. When we recycle we feel that we are doing our part to save the environment - we can touch it, it is tangible. We see the paper going into the selective collection bin, and have great confidence in industry and government to recycle it - it disappears - it is recycled. This is the myth, and a dangerous one at that. Recycling is one step, and not the first step, in a strict waste prevention/management hierarchy. It makes us forget that recycling is but one step lower down on a hierarchy of more environmentally-friendly behavior, and thus mentally blinds/blocks us from doing more than we are. Moreover, recycling can only have a positive impact if the loop is closed; if there is a market for products made out of recycled materials and if people actually purchase them. Recycling, while a noble enterprise, is still and end-of-pipe solution, treating the symptoms rather than the cause of the problem. Grand successes such as the municipal recycling scheme for Seattle, Washington and Germany often mask the true situation in which waste is transported abroad to Third World countries or Central and Eastern Europe for "recycling." Once it arrives, only fragments of the waste are actually recycled, such as lead from batteries, while the rest is improperly disposed or dumped. Other times, the destination country does not have the technology or capacity to reprocess the shipment. Often, shipping materials for recycling may mask a darker side, a side in which waste trade plays an important role. As costs increase for disposal in the West, and legislation is enacted which forces alternative and more environmental but costly methods, companies and governments are looking for cheaper and not exactly legal loopholes.

Some products and packaging carry the label, "recyclable." "Recyclable" does not equal "recycled," and furthermore is often misleading. Something is only recyclable if it is single-material or easily separated, the technology exists in the country, is easily accessible, and there is a means to guarantee clean separately collected materials to the recycler. For example, McDonalds writes on their chips boxes that they are recyclable, but the paper is covered with plastic (and food waste) thus rendering it impossible to recycle even in Western circumstances. In addition, something may be technically recyclable, but only if communities and industry have the necessary incentives, capital, and technology to achieve this.  Sometimes governments will also include incineration as a recycling method, though it is not.

There is always going to be waste (although not in the natural world), however, it does not have to be more than is necessary, toxic or non-recyclable. Moreover, there will always be a certain component that cannot be reduced any further or recycled and must be sent for final disposal, however, the means of final disposal does not have to create a more dangerous material or environmental situation than before (incineration, uncontrolled landfill).

The phrase "reduce, reuse, recycle" is not just for bumper-stickers, it is a hierarchy of waste prevention and management that must be strictly adhered to if we are to achieve a sustainable society, one in which are children are not awash in garbage and one in which the rate and kind of consumption is consistent with both preserving and utilizing the resources of the planet in an intelligent and far-sighted manner. Although European Union legislation would like us to believe that all forms of waste management are equal, NGOs maintain that the hierarchy must be fiercely followed and enforced.

Prevention - By not introducing unrecyclable (including multi-layered and multi-material packaging) and non-reusable materials and preventing the incorporation of hazardous materials into products (which eventually become waste), such materials cease to be a problem to the environment and eliminate the need for disposal or management in any form. Moreover, prevention can be advanced through building long-life products instead of manufacturing products that will have to be thrown away in a short time due to short life-spans. Most importantly, consumers can have an enormous impact by using their "power of the purse" and not buying over-packaged products or products containing hazardous materials. For example, consumers may choose not to buy products packaged in PVC, or buy soda in reusable/refillable glass bottles instead of aluminum cans (refillable bottles are a prevention and reduction method, but often appear in the reuse category as well). Manufacturers can choose not to use certain materials, and instead choose to utilize various more environmentally-friendly alternatives such as alternative solvents and organically-based plastics. Prevention is everyone's responsibility, and clean production and technologies must be the rule.

If no more waste can be prevented at the source, these other steps follow in a strict hierarchy.

Minimization/Reduction: By optimally decreasing the use of hazardous materials when they cannot be prevented (meaning that there are no more environmentally-friendly alternatives), reducing consumption, and reducing the weight and volume of content materials in a produced item, solid waste can be significantly abated. In addition, manufacturers can offer, and consumers choose, to purchase products in bulk or with no packaging. Not only weight can be reduced, but also consumption. In the Netherlands, a light-weight refillable glass milk bottle has proven very effective. Another example is only making double-sided photocopies, and standardizing bottles in Europe (Euro-bottle) or reusable transport packaging.

Re-use: the re-use of materials/products whose material components and hazardous characteristics have been minimized and produced as cleanly as possible. Examples include using the blank back-sides of used papers for telephone messages or in a fax machine, refillable bottles such as Ecover domestic cleaning and beauty products, Body Shop shampoos, and milk and soda bottles made from glass, PE, and PC. Refillable glass milk and beer bottles can be re-used an average of 30-35 times before breaking.

Recycling/Secondary Utilization: the reprocessing of materials that have already been re-used as much as possible into new and not necessarily the same products - but it has its limitations. Waste paper may be recycled into new paper, but also into sound-proofing material, used rubber tyres may be recycled into carpet matting and used in asphalt, throw away PET soda bottles may be recycled into tennis-balls or carpets. Organic waste can be composted and used for natural garden fertilizer. Glass can be, after re-use, recycled indefinitely, while paper can only maintain the fiber strength for 2-3 recyclings. More importantly, a full loop must be created from separate collection, to recycling facility, to the consumer in the form of readily available recycled products. There are two types of recycling; post-production and post-consumer. Post-production recycling is basically picking up scraps from the manufacturing floor and putting them back into the process. Post-consumer recycling is separately collecting the materials after consumers used them, then recycling them. In many countries, a recycled product will state with a label what percentage of the product content is from recycled material and if it is from post-production waste or post-consumer waste. Furthermore, recycling is only recycling if the same product is remade, such as a new bottle out of old bottle waste. More often, a material is downcycled.

Downcycling: When a waste material is reprocessed into another, but lower-quality product, not the same as the original. For example, when waste paper is made into toilet paper or egg cartons; or when PET bottles ar reprocessed into carpets or tennisball fuzz. 

If the first four steps in the hierarchy are followed, there results very little need for final disposal options. The community saves money and the environment. Landfilling and incineration are both environmentally damaging practices, and very expensive, while other options are more cost-effective and create jobs. Through prevention, reduction, reuse, and recycling, the waste stream should ideally  be reduced to such a level that no final disposal capacity is necessary or the capacity requirements and therefore the monetary and environmental cost are minimized.

Controlled Landfill: A landfill is an end-of-the-line waste management scheme, as are the following "solutions" and should only be implemented when prevention, reduction, reuse, and recycling have been applied to the waste-stream. Landfills are usually municipal constructions servicing one large community or several smaller ones. It is a large pit in a geologically stable and non-porus area, usually with a layer of clay beneath it or with a synthetic liner on the bottom. Waste is deposited in alternating layers with soil until the area is full, then capped with another layer of clay or synthetic/plastic cap. Hazardous materials such as small household chemical waste, industrial waste, and toxic waste, should not be deposited here, but in a separate facility with the ability to "safely" dispose of it. The site should not be on a flood plain, or if it is, one that rarely floods (every 100 years or so). In Croatia, no landfill or incinerator may be constructed if the area is in an area which experiences 1 or more floods every 100 years. Underground water sources and surface water should not come into contact with the landfill, and points around the site must be monitored by environmental authorities for run-off and its chemical content. Landfills are built in such a way that they do not allow water and light to affect the contents, which means they will not decompose - and thus stays very much in the same state as buried for decades. Ideally, after waste prevention, reduction, reuse, and recycling, the amount of waste going to the landfill should be minimal, and in fact, a landfill may not even be required.

Uncontrolled Landfill: In essence this is a dump. Many communities in Eastern Europe and other areas of the world do not have access to safe and proper waste disposal. As a result, communities dump their waste in a hole, often in contact with underground flowing water (and a supply of their drinking water), or at the end of the main street.

Incineration-to-Energy: That the combustion of waste to produce energy is possible, and the amount of energy produced is useful, is not necessarily true. Waste can be burnt for energy, however, it is an end-of-pipe solution which does not address the root causes of the problem - the production of the waste itself. In addition, it is a myth that such a process provides significant energy in comparison to that saved by recycling. See below about the myth and problems of incineration. Waste is not produced with the purpose in mind to use it as an energy source. Is it waste-to-energy, or wasted energy?!

Recovery: Usually a euphemism for energy-from-waste incineration. Recovery is not recycling. The energy "recovered" is minimal when compared to the energy saved reusing or recycling the same material.

How to reuse in Hungary:

Very little is actually recycled in Hungary, which is why it is even more important to reduce and minimise the amount of waste you produce by reusing. There are hundreds of tips I could point out, but here are just a few. Contrary to the spin, juice and milk cartons are NOT recyclable. Please do not buy them - or if you do, don't put them with the paper waste. Instead of buying juice in boxes, get a juicer and make your own juice. There are several places in town now where you can get fresh milk from the farmers and bring your own reusable bottle for refill, such as at Hunyadi ter Market on Saturdays, or the milk van at the corner of Jaszai Mari ter and Falk Miksa u. To avoid the PET bottle disaster caused by water bottles, just drink out of the tap. If you are afraid of the water quality, you can find a range of water filter jugs at Media Markt, Saturn, and on-line for around 4000-5000 HUF with replacement filters (good for about 3 months) averaging around 1000 HUF. Fizzy water - buy a siphon and refillable CO2 cartridges, or buy the refillable 2 litre bottles in the courtyard of Hunyadi ter 3 (?) for about 70 HUF. Rechargeable batteries and battery chargers are widely available now, with battery lifetime averaging 1000 charges (that is thousands of batteries you do not have to buy, or dispose of). Buying takeaway? Bring your own reusable container. Say no to plastic bags and always have a reusable textile bag with you (these also make good presents). Go for the refillable beer bottles and avoid the aluminium cans.

What Do Those Labels on Food Mean?

Food Eco-labels

Eco-labels are useful in changing consumer patterns. However, one must be careful of opening up a pandora's box. By labeling something as dangerous, we fool ourselves into thinking it is ok because it is labeled, and still consume it. Take for example cigarettes - a product everyone knows is dangerous to health and has been labeled as such for decades, but still more and more smokers start every day. I would much prefer to see the precautionary approach applied to all technologies and practices. First, we must ask if the product or technology is necessary. If not, there is no reason to go further. If it is necessary, then, is it safe? If it is not safe, but it is necessary, then let's label it. But, let's have the public debate FIRST about its necessity and its safety for the environment and human health. By focusing strictly on labels, one allows potentially harmful products to enter the market if labeled, and then it is a thousand times more difficult to remove them. (see GMOs, cigarettes, DDT, etc.).

Which eco-labels will be used as standards (UN/German Blue Angel, Norwegian, Demeter (bio-dynamic)? Strict standards must be in place defining for example, "bio," "natural flavors," "natural," "organic," "GMO Free," "recyclable," "recycled," "energy efficient," "biodegradable," "environmentally-friendly," etc. I have even seen a couple "bio" hair dressers pop up lately...

Moreover, there must be mechanisms in place to control against false advertising and greenwash, including strict penalties. Companies that misuse eco-labels, such as the case of TetraPak in Macedonia in 1993 and Serbia and Kosova on 2002, must be adequately punished for false advertising and misuse, and misleading the public.

Organic/Bio. Organic" means agriculture that not involve the use of artificial pesticides, herbicides, synthetic fertilizers, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), antibiotics, irradiation or such potentially harmful "inputs" like sewage slurry. In other words, food, coffee and other things made in a way that, if you saw them being made, you'd still want to eat or drink them. The Hungarian market is very confusing because producers and manufacturers use the Biokultura and Biokontroll ecolabels almost inter-changeably. In practice, both guarantee 100% organic products, but the organisations themselves are quite different. Biokultura is the largest organic farmer and consumer association in Hungary. The association primarily provides advice, as well as a logo that identifies products that conform to international (IFOAM) organic standards. Biokontroll is mainly an organic inspection and certification company.

Both the Biokultura and Biokontroll labels guarantee the consumer a 100% organic product. However, this does not necessarily also mean that the packaging is environmentally friendly. For example, one may find organic milk, soymilk, rice milk products, and apple juice, but it is packaged in multi-layered, multi-material, non-reusable, non-refillable, non-recyclable cartons such as those made by Tetra Pak, Combibloc and Europak. Some products may also have been imported from Asia, the US and elsewhere, thus increasing their ecological footprint. I recommend that you buy organic, but also pay special attention to both local and environmentally-friendly packaged products. Making juices at home from local organic fruit and vegetables significantly reduces the environmental impact of packaging and transportation. Moreover, the nutritional and health benefits of any individual product, organic or not, must be evaluated - for example organic potato chips are still full or oil!

Not all products in organic shops in Hungary are organic. Don't just assume - look for the label!

This lists of organic shops and vegetarian restaurants below have not been updated in a couple years, some have closed, some new ones have opened, but you should be able to search the Internet and call to verify they still exist.

List of organic shops in Hungary

List of organic and vegetarian restaurants in Hungary

Biodynamic

Dr. Rudolf Steiner, a philosopher, the founder of anthroposophy launched biodynamic farming in 1924. The strict agricultural system is based on cosmic forces, in particular, the cycles of the moon. Adherents of biodynamic farming practice crop rotation. Different "preparations" are used by farmers. The compost preparations consist of: chamomile, nettle, dandelion, milfoil flower, ground oak roots. The fertiliser preparations based on cow manure and the cow's horn, because it can stimulate the life processes in soil. The quartz preparations assimilate the ripening process to facilitate and improve the quality of use. Demeter, the biodynamic farming organisation since 1932, controls and certifies biodynamic farms. Furthermore, you can trust biodynamic products to be 100% organic.

Shoppers may encounter labels such as "Magor" which encourage domestic products over imports. Besides the obvious economic and cultural benefits of local shopping, there are added environmental benefits because of less pollution from long-distance shipping: exhaust, particulates, climate-changing gases, refridgeration, energy, delayed chemical ripening, etc. While such labelled products are not organic (unless otherwise stated), at least they have a lower environmental impact than imports.

TransFair/FairTrade - Fair Trade generally means trading partnerships based on reciprocal benefits and mutual respect. This means that the prices paid to producers - especially small farmers - reflect the work they do; that workers have the right to organize; and that national health and safety regulations are enforced. It means providing equal employment opportunities for all people, particularly the most disadvantaged, being "transparent" and accountable to the public, and providing appropriate financial and technical assistance to producers whenever possible. To become fair trade certified, an importer must meet stringent international criteria, including paying a minimum price of $1.26 per pound for coffee (as opposed to the usual 50 cents or less). As a result, Fair Trade producers can invest in health care, education, and their local environment. It also means knowing where your coffee, chocolate, rugs, footballs, etc. come from. Child labor, prison labor and slave labor are also prohibited under the Fair Trade label.

While it is very worthwhile to support fair prices, humane working conditions, and third world development, one must still consider the pollution from transport for these goods over such long distances. But, if you are going to buy a product from the third world, please look for an organic, or at least a fair-trade label. For example, we have Fair Trade organic coffee, teas, chocolates, hot chocolate, and spices at Treehugger Dan's.

GM food
By law, all food products in Hungary containing genetically-engineered ingredient(s) must bear this label. Although there are many imported processed food products that do, I have yet to spot this on any packaging.Governing law: 1/1999. (I.14) FVM sz.r. 15 § (1) bek.

Ionizing radiation-treated food (Irradiated)

Food irradiation was the brainchild of the US Atomic Energy Commission's efforts in the Eisenhower administration to find practical uses the radioactive wastes from nuclear weapons. Special permits are granted to some food producers to use ionizing radiation for disinfection and preservation (dried vegetables, fruits, spices, raisins, potatoes, onions). Spoilage-causing microorganisms cannot continue their activities. Insects do not survive, or become incapable of reproduction. Plants cannot continue their natural ripening processes. The use of the term "cold pasteurization" to describe irradiated foods is controversial, since pasteurization and irradiation are fundamentally different processes. Claims of safety are unproven at best. High-energy irradiation produces complex chemical changes in food. Governing law:1/1996. (I.9) FM-NM-IKM sz. Rendelet 27 § (4) bek.

The Grüne Punkt

The symbol used by the Duales System as well as Eco-Emballages is often mistaken for an eco-label. The Grüne Pünkt ("Green Point") or similar symbol is seen by the general public as an eco-label, while in fact all it symbolizes is that the manufacturer has paid for the collection or recycling company (Duales System, Fost Plus, Eco-Emballages...) to collect and dispose of its packaging waste, and fund the necessary infrastructure. Other objections to this type of waste management have included separate collection for recycling but inadequate capacity for processing resulting in illegal waste shipments to Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and Southern Europe. A disproportionate amount of collected packaging waste is often incinerated with or without "energy recovery" rather than recycled. Maximizing re-use is de-empha­sized and often ignored. In addition, Friends of the Earth has found that these projects have created the false impression that selective collection solves all the environmental problems associated with packaging.

Packaging producers in Macedonia and elsewhere print the Green Point on their products, without any ties to the Duales System, and probably without any knowledge of what it truly symbolizes. Furthermore, some CEE consumers are influenced to purchase the product because they think it is an eco-label, or at least a foreign product.

Food Miles: Buy and Eat Local

Food Miles is a measurement of the distance food travels from where it is grown to where it is ultimately purchased or consumed by the end user. How much of the food you will eat today will be locally produced? And how much will travel hundreds, if not thousands, of miles before it is delivered to your plate? The more food miles that attach to a given food, the less sustainable and the less environmentally desirable that food is. For example to get to Europe, orange juice from Brazil travels 12000 km; including pulping, concentrating, freezing, re-hydrating and packing all in different countries along the way!

To produce a small glass jar of strawberry yogurt for sale in Stuttgart, strawberries are being transported from Poland to western Germany and then processed into jam to be sent to southern Germany. Yogurt cultures come from northern Germany, corn and wheat flour from the Netherlands, sugar beet from eastern Germany, and the labels and aluminium covers for the jars were being made over 300 km away. Only the glass jar and the milk are produced locally. For one truckload of yogurt pots to arrive at a southern German distribution centre, a 'theoretical' lorry must move a total of 1005 km, using some 400 litres of diesel fuel.

But there is a whole range of further hidden miles that these calculations ignore. To grow the strawberries for the jam for the yogurt, the farmer uses fossil fuels to plant, spray and harvest the fruit, and the sprays he uses have also been manufactured and distributed at some environmental cost. The aluminium for the yogurt jar lids has come from mines many thousands of miles from the packaging plant. Then there is the machinery used for packaging the yogurt, which had to be brought in from Switzerland, perhaps, or Britain, to say nothing of the transport of the workers in the yogurt processing plant going to and from their homes every day. And finally, the transport of shoppers from their homes to the shops in order to buy the yogurt must be calculated. So the circle widens, at every point adding to the real costs of the yogurt, but which do not get added to the price and instead must be paid for in other ways at other times.

The vast distances that food travels 'from plough to plate' makes it vulnerable to oil supply, inefficient on a per calorie basis, and unsustainable in the long run. Flying commodities by air, which uses nearly 40 times the amount of fuel that sea transport uses, is now a regular feature of world trade. But cheap fuel can also be used to undercut local suppliers by bringing in commodities from further a field.

Combined with fair trade systems, many of these problems can be overcome by developing regional and local food systems that highlight and use local produce.

Examples of Things You Can Do

Garden and Kitchen Waste Composting in Hungary?

Now that Spring is here, I have been getting some questions about where one can bring garden and kitchen waste for composting in Hungary. Compostable organic waste comprises 25-40% of the average household's waste. Imagine this in terms of extra landfill capacity, unnecessary garbage collection fees, and the loss soil health that could be achieved by reusing this waste through composting methods. Compost is the end product of the decomposition of organic matter, including: garden waste, kitchen scraps, manure, leaves, grass clippings, straw...Composted organic matter is a valuable soil additive because it can improve soil structure, aid in necessary microbial activity in the soil, attract beneficial insects such as earthworms, suppress several soil-born diseases, and holds its nutrients in slow release form allowing for availability throughout the growing season. source

Admittedly, I have never tried any of the services listed below, but this is the information I have found:

Fokert Rt. Budapest X. ker. Keresztúri u.130 Telefon: 261-8425. Free for Budapest residents, 1280 huf + VAT for companies, Fokert accepts up to 100kg at a time. Open hours M-Th 7.00-15.00 F 7.00 - 12.30. Maximum tree
trunk and/branch sizes accepted 25-30 cm.

COMPOSTAL Kft. Tárnok 2461, Pusztazámori u. Hrsz 0207/6. tel: 06-23/711-064, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , Domaföldi Zsolt 06-30/9416-233. All types of compostable waste accepted Call for price quote.

Fovárosi Közterület Fenntartó Rt (FKF) Roadside pickup in Budapest and taken to their Pusztazámori Regionális Hulladékkezelo Központ for composting, FKF Zrt accepts leaves, tree and bush cuttings not longer than 1 meter bundled and tied together seprately, weeds and grass clippings. You must purchase special thick bags with the FKF logo on them for curbside pickup.

60 liter capacity bags 115 Ft/bag
100 liter 180 Ft/bag
100 liter (at MOL gas stations) 2079 Ft /10 db (package)
prices include VAT and pickup fee.

The following companies will pick up from your home for a fee:

Bálint és Orbán Kft: branches, leaves, roots, fruit and vegetable waste...

Hepi-trans Bt: garden waste, leaves and branches by container 

Puskás Péter, machine chipping of wood waste of up to 15cm thick branches, all across Hungary.

For advice on home composting, please contact the NGO Szike Egyesület tel:             (1) 409-04-49      , or HuMuSz (1) tel: 386-26-48.

World Water Day

Safe Disposal of Household Medical Waste in Hungary

Safe, separate disposal of old medicine and other household medical waste usually happens by district in Budapest twice a year around Earth Day (April 22) and World Car Free Day (September 22). Districts also sometimes offer the option during the annual big trash day (lomtalalnitas). However, the law says that all pharmacies must take back expired medicines (should be a collection box), and some MOL gas stations also offer this option.

Recycled Gifts at Printa

Following the success of the original Bolt store on Kertesz u., Zita Majoros' new place Printa offers a much broader version and vision with partner and designer Claudia Martin, as well as award-winning barrista Tibor Varady. This place is perfect for the artsy-fartsy, fashion and design sets, but also for those looking for environmentally-conscious and very cool gifts. Besides their own collections, the owners also stock collections from a number of designers utilising recycled materials. Just a few include handbags from old car seatbelts and tossed leather jackets; seats from washing machine tumblers (one of my favorite ideas); melted, flattened glass bottles are now ash trays and bowls. There are also hanging lamps: the form is there with clips - you crush your own plastic bottles and clip them onto the lamp frame to make the lampshade. Some others include:
Re-silicone: bracelets and hair clips from recycled silicon waste
Anna Mihalffy: buttons from discarded clock inards, and rings from old computer keyboard keys
Plastenka: bags, bike saddle bags, and wallets from waste food packaging

Recyclemission: focuses on the reuse of bicycle parts as very cool and useful items such as earrings, incense holders from rims, candleholders and beer openers from gears, keyrings, tables...

Bottleboy: Clips to the wall, you crush PET bottles and insert the neck into the forms for coat racks

Barista and activist Tibor Varady has good Coffee Collective direct trade coffee on tap. "Direct trade coffee" differs from Fair Trade in that premiums tend to be higher for the farmers, and individual farmers and not just collectives may be approved for Direct Trade status. However, Direct Trade does not have any certification body ensuring the ethical standards are upheld.

There is a big silk screen studio in the back, and I picked up a silk screen print of Zita's 7th District poster.

Greening Your December Holidays

Greening Your December Holidays

It is not so hard being green in Hungary, even if your Hungarian language skills are very basic. For an environmental activist or the woman-on-the-street in Hungary, it is not so difficult or unrealistic to live an environmentally-friendly lifestyle without seeming radical or spending a fortune. In many ways, it is easier to lead an environmentally-friendly lifestyle here than in the US. People often stare in astonishment when I admit that I have been here for 20 years - "god, why?!," they ask. Unlike the US, Hungary has among other things, a great public transport system, reusable bottles, an extensive national park system, and almost everywhere in Europe is less than a 24-hour train ride away.

Regardless of my name, I am not a back-to-basics, Walden Pond-type.  I am an environmental activist who tries to live as environmentally-friendly as possible, but who still loves his wifi and washing machine. However, all my appliances are A+ rated for energy and water efficiency and come from companies that do not work with the nuclear industry. I ride my bike everywhere, and Budapest held the largest Critical Mass in the world last year with 80000 participants. Where are you people daily? Imagine the voting power and impact on the environment you could have for better public transport and bike lanes? I completely switch off all appliances when not in use, including the stand-by light. Some electronic goods like adsl modems do not even come with off-switches anymore! The stand-by lights on TVs in the US, just TVs, not videos, or DVD players, stereos, monitors etc., use up as much energy as one nuclear power plant produces each year and the TVs are not even turned on! In order to make this easier, I have my stuff plugged into extension cords with master/slave switches so I can completely switch off everything at once. I bring my own textile bags shopping and refuse plastic bags from shops. I use a water siphon at home with reusable CO2 cartridges (10 liters for 70 huf, and no waste). When goods break, I get them repaired rather than buy a new one. Thankfully there are still quite a few small repair shops around.

Here are a few suggestions:

• Greff Elektronika (V. ker, Bank u. 1, M-F 8-17, tel: 332-8083) for electronic goods.
• Shoe repair with the old lady in the courtyard of Izabella u. 73 or 75, "Cipesz" (ground floor across the courtyard).
• At 1067 Csengery u. 36, there is Magda Szabo, a nice, quick tailor/seamstress who is often open late for emergency repairs. Tel: 1-342-6594
• There is also good zipper repair near Ferenciek tere in the courtyard by the church (czipzar).

Organic vegetables are widely available in Hungary, the biggest market behind the 12^th District Cultural House Csörsz utca just moved. It is now in the Congress Center parking lot on Jagelló út on Saturdays. However, there are at least two organic vegetable box delivery systems in Budapest that are great value for money (Nyitottkert Alapitvany and The Szatyor) in which you are buying direct from the farmer. Furthermore, I buy products without batteries, and if they have them, I make sure to use reusable batteries in them (up to 1000 uses, just do the math on the cost of your kid's toys just in terms of batteries). Energy efficient compact florescent light bulbs save 80% on your electricity bill and last up to 10-times longer than normal incandescent. However, I also look at which company produces the bulbs because I try to avoid any company connected with the nuclear industry.

I am not sure how popular a more environmentally-friendly lifestyle is in Hungary, but with 80 organic shops, over 1500 organic farms, several eco-utopian villages and hundreds of NGOs, something is happening. It all comes down to a lifestyle choice. If you want to go completely back to basics, that's groovy. I make my choices based on what is best for me, and for the long-term good of the environment and social justice. Other people make their choices based solely price. I'm not perfect, but I try to do the best I can; and if we all do that much for a change, that can add up to a lot.

Greening Your Holidays

• Give a certificate saying "no gift necessary"
• Rent a reusable live Christmas tree from Oazis Garden Center
• Jug-style water filter
• Energy-efficient light bulbs
• Extension cords with master/slave switches
• Organic Fair Trade chocolate! www.treehuggerdans.com
• Give an organic vegetable box from an organic farm like the Open Garden Foundation or Satyor 
• Make a book of tickets for your loved-one with "services" you can render: erotic massage, a movie, romantic dinner at restaurant of his/her choice, walk in the woods, baby sitting...
• Reusable textile bags or woven shopping baskets
• Buy gifts without batteries (like a self-winding watch) or with rechargeable batteries
• Rechargeable batteries with charger
• For bigger purchases, make sure the goods are rates A+ in both water and energy conservation; or a vacuum with a reusable bag
• Insulate their windows for them and help them save 15-20% on their heating bills through Okoszolgalat (Ecoservice). You can cheaply rent a machine from this NGO that cuts grooves in your wooden windows for the insulation strips. The machine (marogep) rental costs 6000 huf for 3.5 days, 10000 huf deposit. Insulation costs 180 huf/meter. 1051 Budapest, Nádor u. 34. Fsz. 2, Tel: 06 1 311 7855, 06 20 519 80 81, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Open M-Th 8-17, F 8-15. Available from several NGOs in other Hungarian cities - see list on website.
  
• Get something repaired for them, like a leaking tap, trousers, DVD player...
• A hiking map or bicycle map for the Buda Hills, Pilis, Aggtelek, Balaton...
• Oázis Garden Center offers potted deposit-return Christmas trees this year at Budapest's Santa Factory (Mikulásgyár) next to the Műcsarnok (Felvonulási tér) 10:00-22:00 between December 6-24. Trees may be returned between January 2-8 to the same place with the original receipt. Customers receive credit at any Oaszis Garden Center equal to 50% of the tree cost. The trees cost between 4000-7000 huf.
• A bike
• Monthly or annual public transport ticket

Budapest Green Maps Available

Much like two potential Nobel Prize winners in physics working half a world away from each other and somehow discovering the same thing at the same time, this year saw the publication of local NGO Messzelato's Green Map (in booklet form), and the Association of Conscious Consumers' (TVE) on-line Green Map. Both have their advantages. Messzelato's booklet is small and easy to fit in your pocket while travelling about the city. In addition, it offers information about green businesses and locations outside of the capital. The map is free and in English. The Green Map is available at among other locations, both the Csengery u. and Lazar u. Treehugger Dan's Bookstore Cafe

TVE's on-line version is easily updated and expandable, not just by the editors, but by anyone that wishes to contribute information. You can not only access this English and Hungarian map on-line, but you can subscribe by RSS. The advantage of this interactive and smart map is that you can see the big picture. Most information available in the phonebook or other websites categorises info by district - which is not always the most convenient because what you find may not actually be the closest possibility. But on this map you can see, for example, that the closest recycling center, Fair Trade shop or shoe repair is actually just across the street from you in another district.

Searchable categories include:

 P+R  Fogyasztóvédelem  Activism  Animal shelter  Artisan/Art Studio  Bicycle Parking  Bicycle Site  Community Center  Community Teleservice Center  Cultural Site  Drinking Water Source  Eco Information  Eco-Agriculture  Ecotourism Resource  Environmental Education  Fair Trade  Farmers/Local Food  Green Building  Green Store  Healthy Dining  Narrow gauge railway  Natural Value  Public Library  Recycling  Renewable Energy Site  Rental/Share  Repair Shop  Reuse Shop/Market  Sport site  Water Transport

Household Hazardous Waste

Of course it is best if you are able to avoid as much hazardous waste as possible. Rechargeable batteries good for an average 1000 charges are widely available in Hungary, not just in the big electronic goods stores. Many times you even get a free charger. Shop around, because prices vary dramatically.Better yet, avoid products with batteries - look for self-winding watches, bike lights that work off of the small generator that spins with your wheel, solar powered flashlights and radios... For environmentally-friendly cleaning fluids and powders, check out the Zold Zug - run by Okoszolgalat (Ecoservice), the coordination center for all Hungarian environmental NGOs as well as the Green Phone service. 1051 Bp, Nador u. 34, groundfloor #2 in the courtyard. t: 311-7855

To Buy or Not to Buy

Utilising newspapers, public records, health and safety related court proceedings, and reports from such NGOs as Friends of the Earth, Oxfam, and War on Want, Ethical Consumer examines 19 criteria before giving a company and/or product a rating of anywhere between 1 and 20, with 20 being the most environment friendly. Some of the criteria include: environmental reporting, nuclear power, workers' rights, human rights, armaments, irresponsible marketing, animal testing, energy-efficiency rating, political activity, and whether or not products are organic or Fair Trade. So it's really a good idea to consult these reports before buying anything, whether it's an MP3-player, toothpaste, baked beans, mobile phone, vodka, fridge, toilet paper, baby carriage, bread, make-up, tent, or even internet banking services. Many of the reports are available for free, but the entire range is available for a small yearly subscription fee. Also, with Boycott News you can discover why companies like Shell (destruction of Nigeria's environment), Tesco (use of chips embedded in products that collect personal data), Nouvelle (use of virgin forests to make toilet paper), Adidas (kangaroo skin used in some football boots), Caterpillar (bulldozers to the Israeli army), Nestle (irresponsible marketing of baby milk (formula) and Starbuck's (Ethiopian farmers earn only about 2p/cup) are the targets of consumer boycotts.  

  
Embracing Change: Treehugger.com
Another multi-format resource offering a wide range of interesting environmental information is www.treehugger.com.The resource is available as treehugger tv, treehugger radio, and a set of 32 "How to Green Your ..." guides. Some examples of the latter include How to Green Your: Book (for both authors and publishers), Public Transport, Baby, Wedding, Meals, Heating, Summer, Car, Gardening, Clothing, Coffee and Tea, Work, Furniture-and, yes-even Sex. Did you know, for example, that 60-100 million condoms are improperly disposed of in the U.K. alone? This creates problems for rivers, plumbing and sewerage treatment plants. Some of treehugger's tamer recommendations include: buying undergarments made from organic and Fair Tradesources, purchasing organic Fair Trade chocolate and organic massage oils, showering together to save water (though I suspect this might actually increase the length of time in the shower!), and using silky smooth bamboo sheets (which are manufactured using a rapidly renewable resource, naturally contain anti-microbial properties, and draw away moisture). reprinted from -  (Daniel Swartz) Green Horizon Magazine

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Looking for an Environmental Job in Hungary?

One of the most common questions I get is how to find an environmental or social justice/human rights job in Hungary and the region. If you do not speak the local language you will be offered exciting work as an English teacher or project proposal writer. While these jobs are important, you are probably looking for something a bit more on the activist side of things. Some resources to try:

- The Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe (REC) often has job openings, but more importantly, it has a fairly up-to-date database of all the NGOs in the region, with which you can narrow your search by country and specialties. http://www.rec.org/
- Greenfo.hu is the websiteof the Hungarian environmental journalists association. Follow this link for job openings
http://www.greenfo.hu

-  Nonprofit.hu also provides job listings here http://www.nonprofit.hu/allasok.html
http://www.nonprofit.hu/english

 If you are still not having luck, you might have to resort to writing a project proposal for a local NGO and including yourself as project staff.

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Vegetarian/Organic Restaurants in Budapest and the rest of Hungary

please note: I compiled this info a couple years ago, and things may have changed. Please call or check on the interenet first to confirm their open hours.If they do not have organic Fair Trade coffee and tea - please point them to Treehugger Dan's!

Biokonyha - home delivery (lakto) T:20-932-0170
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Vegafood - home delivery (lakto) T: 349-2406, 30-997-5037, 30-200-6805. This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Biopont - Darshan udvar (vegan)
VIII. Krúdy Gy. u. 8. T:266-4601 M-F:10-22, Sat-Sun:12-22

Bio bolt és vegetarian restaurant
XVIII. Királyhágó utca 48. T:290-1084. M-Sat:9-22, Sun:9-15

Éden (vegán + lakto - ovo)
I. Döbrentei u. 9. T: 3757-575 M-Th: 10-20.

Eletkonyha,  Culinary dinners with vegan, raw food. Budapest, +36(30)3994912, +36(70)7028187, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Életház Biocentrum (restaurant and organic shop)
XII. ker Böszörményi út 13-15. Bányay Géza, T:212-5881

Falafel Faloda (lacto-ovo)
VI. Paulai Ede u. 53. T: 267-9567 M-F: 10-20, S: 10-18

Govinda Vegetáriánus Étterem
1051 Budapest, Vigyázó Ferenc utca 4. T:473-1310
M-Sat: 12:-21. This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

GOPÁL Ételbár (lacto)
XVIII. Budapest, Vasút utca 48. T:294-7805
M-F: 10-18 Sat:10-14

Keleti Eletmódcentrum Organic Cofee Shop
1137 Budapest, Pozsonyi ut 16. T:339-0209

Napfenyes Izek Etterem és Biobolt (vegan)
VI. ker. Rózsa u. 39, T: 351-5649
M-F:10-23, Sat-Sun:12-23 This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Napos Oldal Öko Café
VI.Jókai utca 7. T:311-9480. M-F: 10-22, Sat: 10-13

Vegetárium Étterem (vegan, lacto-ovo)
V. Budapest, Cukor utca 3. T: 484-0848
M-Sun: 11:30-24

Ajka 8400, Szabadság tér 20 (Héliosz üzletház 1st floor)
Tiszta Forrás health food-store and teahouse
T: 88/200-102. M-F: 9-17 Sat: 9-12

Debrecen, Széchenyi u. 55
Govinda. T: 52/315-084 (lacto-ovo)

Érd 2030, Balatoni út 54
Prána biobolt és étterem. T:23/374-395 T-Sun: 12-21

Gyenesdiás 8315, Kossuth u. 16
Zöldház. T: 83/316-043, 83/316-046 (lacto-ovo)

Győr, Kisfaludy u. 39
Napraforgó foodbar. T: 96-338166, 30-348-6614 M-Th: 10-18 F: 10-1430 (winter) during summer longer (vegan)

Keszthely 8360, Rákóczi tér 3
Oázis. T: 83/311-023, 30-959-8851 M-Sat: 11-18 (lacto-ovo)

Szeged
Basa u. 13/a T:62-464-524 M-F:11-20, Sat: 12-16.
Öko-Manna, Cora Hipermarket Zápor u. 4. T:20-448-0909, 20-520-9637 M-F: 9-20, Sat: 10-20, Sun: 10-19 (lakto)

Zalaegerszeg, Rákóczi u. 29
A' la Nature. T: 92/598-841, 30-3481330
M-Th:7-21 F:7-15 Sat: 12-15 (lacto)

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14 selective collection courtyards currently operating in Budapest

There are 14 selective collection courtyards currently operating in Budapest. These
courtyards collect both the basic stuff for recycling such as paper and plastic, and
other things such as household hazardous waste. No charge.
You can bring:

Paper: newspapers, magazines, notebooks, books, cardboard, wrapping paper
Drink cartons
Plastic: polistyrene/styrofoam (PS), PET bottles
Clear and coloured glass bottles and jars
Metal cans: aluminum and tin

Hazardous waste:
white goods: washing machines, fridges, etc.
electronic waste: computer waste and other
lightbulbs
batteries
used oil (cooking, other)

Open Monday-Friday: 10-18, Saturday: 8-14
By District...
III., Testvérhegyi út 10/a T: 439-2351
IV., Ugró Gyula sor 1-3. T: 230-2644
IV., Zichy Mihály u. - Istvántelki út corner Tel.: 370-9863
VIII., Sárkány u. 5. T: 210-5995
IX., Ecseri út 9. T: 280-6664
X., Fehér köz 2. Tel.: 260-9119
XI., Bánk bán u. 8-10. T: 464-5907
XIII., Tatai út 96. T: 329-8437
XV., Károlyi S. u. 119. T: 305-2429
XV., Zsókavár u. at the ned of the street, after #65 T: 410-5340
XVI., Csömöri út 2-4. T: 405-4584
XVII. Gyökér köz 4. T: 259-1691
XXI., Bajáki Ferenc u. 86. T: 420-7710

Source: http://www.fkf.hu/portal/page/portal/fkf/szolg/Lakossag/Hulladek/Szelektiv/Hulladekgy_udvar

Electronic Waste Recycling in Hungary

Lately, I have been getting a lot of requests for information about where people can bring their electronic waste in Budapest. Today at Treehugger Dan's Bookstore & Lounge (Lazar u. 16, 6th district behind the Opera House) from 5-6:30, Greenpeace is holding an information session about "e-waste." In addition, Budapest's 3rd District is holding an electronic waste collection at several points from 08:00-14:00 today.
      -Békásmegyer - Duna felöli oldal, Heltai J. tér- Juhász Gy. u. parkoló
      -Békásmegyer - hegy felöli oldal parking lot behind the medical clinic (orvosi rendelo)
      -Csillaghegy, Mátyás kir. u. Lehel u. (TIC parking lot)
      -Mocsárosdűlő, Ádámföldi u. - Ringató u. corner
      -Pók utcai lakótelep, Római tér parking lot

You can also take your electronic waste to these companies for recycling:

- ELECTRO-COORD Kht
 1/224-7730
 30/2222229
  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , www.electro-coord.hu
 - ÖKOMAT Kht
 1/236-0506, 1/236-0507, 1/237-0825
  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , www.okomat.hu
- ELEKTRO-WASTE Kht
 1/373-0491
  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , www.elektrowaste.hu
 - RE-ELEKTRO Kht
 96/509-825, 96/509-805
  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , www.reelektro.hu

- E-Hulladék Kht
1/354-0370; 1/354-0371
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , www.e-hulladek.com
- COMP-CORD Kht
70/338-0807
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , www.compcord.hu

sources: http://www.humusz.hu, http://www.fkf.hu

Where can you bring your used CDs and DVDs for recycling in Hungary?

If they still function, see if your friends want them. Treehugger Dan's also buys English language DVDs. Hungary does not have the technological capacity to recycle these plastics, but one company does collect and transport it abroad for recycling. VTCD Videoton Videolemez-gyártó Kft, 1021 Bp., Hűvösvölgyi út 54. Tel: 392-1217 They also have a collection point in Székesfehérvár, at Aszalvölgyi út 7. Tel: 22-533-571  No open hours listed.

The Soda Water Bottle: Let's Fröccs it Up!

The last few days have seen the death of the last nationwide reusable mineral water bottle in Hungary - the Margit Szigeti 1.5 liter. The mineral water company has been owned by Pepsi for many years, and considering how early they stopped reusable bottles for their other lines, it is amazing the mineral water held out for so long. What to do now? The answer is something that in the States I only ever found in my father's Edmund Scientific  catalogs - the low tech, retro, but cheap and efficient soda water bottle with reusable CO2 cartridges.

Yes, those soda water bottles you are used to seeing only in Laurel and Hardy movies are alive and well in Hungary. There are two main types - the Szódásszifon (otherwise known as szikvíz) takes CO2 cartridges, and the smaller Habszifon to make whipped cream takes NO2 cartridges (otherwise known as laughing gas). The cartridges can be bought at most shops at the check-out register. Just ask for a box of szodasszifon patron, or habszifon patron. I think a box of 10 is only about 100 forint. What a bargain, and much less environmental impact than throw-away bottles! The bottles themselves can be purchased at larger household goods stores (haztartasi bolt) or used goods stores (hasznalt cikkek). If you have a bottle and it needs repair like a rubber washer replaced or something, try the place on the corner of Izabella u. and Kiraly u. (6th/7th District).  Best of all, after being 2.5 years at this location, I just discovered a place right next door to the csengery u. shop at Hunyadi ter 3 (in the courtyard)  that supplies soda water made on the premises in refillable bottles! The other good thing about having a soda water bottle is that you can make fröccs (spritzer)at home to relieve the summer heat. Hungarians have a very rich fröccs culture. A frocks usually involves dry white wine, but you can use anything. Here is a fairly complete list:

- nagyfröccs (big spritzer): 2 dl wine + 1 dl soda water

- hosszú lépés (long step): 1 dl wine + 2 dl soda water

- kisfröccs (small spritzer/short step): 1 dl wine + 1 dl soda water

- továbbá házmester (janitor): 3 dl wine + 2 dl soda water

- viceházmester: 2 dl wine + 3 dl soda water

- lakófröccs (resident): 1 dl wine + 4 dl soda water

- polgármester (mayor): 6 dl wine + 4 dl soda water

- maflás (clinker)5 dl wine + 5dl soda water

- Krúdy-fröccs: 1 dl wine + 9 dl soda water

- Forditott hosszúlépés (inverted long step): 2 dl soda water + 1 dl wine

- Fordítottja a Vicehazmester (inverted vicehazmester): 2 dl wine + 3 dl soda water

- Haziur/Tömbházmester/Bivalycsok (landlord/large janitor/buffalo kiss): 4 dl wine + 1 dl soda water

- Csattos: 1 litre wine + 1/2 litre soda water

- Lampas (lamplighter): 1 1/2 litre wine + 1/2 litre soda water

- SÓHER (skint) - 9 dl soda water + 1 dl wine for flavour

- KASS v. TISZA fröccs: red wine with champagne

- KISVADÁSZ (small hunter): 1 dl red wine + 1 dl cola

- NAGYVADÁSZ (large hunter): 2 dl red wine + 1 dl cola

- almafröccs (apple spritzer): 2dl apple juice 1 dl soda water

- Újházy fröccs: in place of soda water, use pickle juice from kovászos uborka (pickles made with fermented bread in water instead of vinegar)

- MATRÓZFRÖCCS: (sailor): pint of beer with ½ dl rum chaser

- POSTÁSFRÖCCS: (postman) double esspresso with rum

source: http://www.since78.net/download/ipartestulet/froccs/froccs.html

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You Don't Need to Throw it Out - Get it Repaired!

In the horrible heat of June, my electric fan died, so this week I took it over to this old woman near Arany Janos Metro. Greff Elektronika has been repairing my electronic goods for years - VCR, walkman, discman, dvd, electric razor, and now my fan. Although quickly diminishing in number, there are still quite a few small shops in Budapest, generally run by the elderly, that do necessary and quality repairs. Generally repairs cost must less than purchasing a new item, and you help protect the environment. Here are a few suggestions: Greff Elektronika (Bank u. 1, M-F 8-17, tel: 332-8083) for elektronic goods. Shoe repair with the old lady in the courtyard of Izabella u. 73 or 75, "Cipesz" (groundfloor across the courtyard). If you need your trousers taken up (felhajtas), zipper replaired, etc., cheap and quick tailoring can be had at the Farmer Klinika in the basement of Rakoczi ter Market (Rakoczi ter) - please note: he will be on holiday all of August.  There is also good zipper repair near Ferenciek tere in the courtyard by the church (czipzar).

Organic Shops in Hungary

I compiled this list a couple years ago, so please check if the shop is still open before going.  Consumers are right to be suspicious, for we hear about food contaminations and scandals virtually every day - why should Hungary be any different? The 100% organic standards are very strictly upheld and controlled in Hungary, and in some ways are even stricter than in the UK. Moreover, Biokultura, the Hungarian association of organic farmers, is one of only five IFOAM (the International Federation of Organic Farmers) members allowed to perform testing at the supervisory level. But before we get carried away patting ourselves on the back, a warning - the use of labels on the Hungarian market and elsewhere in Europe is very confusing and consumers can be easily and deliberately confused about what they are purchasing. The Hungarian market is very confusing because producers and manufacturers use the Biokultura and Biokontroll ecolabels almost inter-changeably. In practice, both guarantee 100% organic products, but the organisations themselves are quite different. Biokultura is the largest organic farmer and consumer association in Hungary. The association primarily provides advice, as well as a logo that identifies products that conform to international (IFOAM) organic standards. Biokontroll is mainly an organic inspection and certification company. Both the Biokultura and Biokontroll labels guarantee the consumer a 100% organic product. However, this does not necessarily also mean that the packaging is environmentally friendly. For example, one may find organic milk, soymilk, rice milk products, and apple juice, but it is packaged in multi-layered, multi-material, non-reusable, non-refillable, non-recyclable cartons such as those made by Tetra Pak, Combibloc and Europak. Some products may also have been imported from Asia, the US and elsewhere, thus increasing their ecological footprint. Buyer beware! There are quite a number of products that companies that are out to deceive consumers into thinking they are buying environmentally-friendly products. For example, one might see the phrases "Natural," "includes natural flavourings," etc. In fact, these phrases could mean anything, and are not regulated by any office in Hungary, the EU or elsewhere. The bottom line is, if you want to guarantee that you are buying organic food - trust only the Biokontroll, Biokultura and Demeter labels. We recommend that you buy organic, but also pay special attention to both local and environmentally-friendly packaged products. Making juices at home from local organic fruit and vegetables significantly reduces the environmental impact of packaging and transportation. Moreover, the nutritional and health benefits of any individual product, organic or not, must be evaluated - for example organic potato chips are still full or oil! Also buy smart at the organic shops - Unlike in the US, UK, Netherlands and elsewhere, just because they sell organic products does not mean everything in the shop is organic. Here are a few organic shops to check out...

BUDAPEST
District I.
-Egészséges-örömök, 1016 Mészáros u. 6. T: 201-4131 M-F: 9-19, Sat: 9-14
-Marika Natura Boltja, 1011 Iskola utca 35/b. T: 202-0895
-Menta Biobolt, Krisztina krt. 37. T:30-463-4611 M-F: 730-18
District II.
-Bio-9, 1022 Bimbó út 9. T:315-0627 M-F: 8-19, Sat:9-13
-Biofarm-R (Rogép Kft.), 1025 Zöldlomb utca 38/D. T:325-8454
-Bioháló, Frankel Leo u. 36. T: 1-326-1189, T/F:63/478-586, 06-30-278-2470
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , www.biohalo.com M-F:9-18 Sat:9-14
-Biomania, ozsadomb Center , II. floor. Törökvčsz ut 87-91, T: 70-553-4723. This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ; M-F:8-20, Sat: 9-15
-Bioritmus, 1024 Mammut II Shopping Mall - III floor, M-Sat: 10-21, Sun: 10-17
-Biotéka (Szuper Kovi Bt.), 1027 Frankel Leó utca 10. T:316-6859
-Calendula Natura Shop( Rózsakert Shopping Mall), 1024 Gábor Áron utca 74-78. T:391-5950, M-Sat:9-20, Sun:9-17
-Elen Energy Bt., 1023 Frankel Leó utca 68/A. T:326-2731
-Fagyöngy Naturabolt, Mammut Shopping Center, L-1, II. ker., Lövöhŕz u. 2-4, T: 345-8090, M-Sat: 9-21, Sun: 10-19
-Lim Bio, 1025 Törökvész út 12/b. T: 326-8008, M-F: 8-20, Sat: 9-14
-Ökocentrum, 1026 Bp. Szilágyi Erzsébet fasor 121 (Budagyöngye Shopping Center). T.:275-0855/ext.215
M-F:10-19:30 Sat:10-14:30
-Pi-víz centrum, 1023 Frankel Leó u. 68/a T: 326-2731 M-F: 10-18 Sat: 8-13
-Reformélelmiszer, 1024 Fény utcai market next to Mammut, II. floor, IV. 23. T-F: 7-1730, Sat: 7-1330
-Tündérrózsa, 1027 Kapás u. 46. T:201-1082
District III.
-Biopont Plus Kft., 1031 Nánási út 17-19. T:242-1927
-BIODA Biobolt, 1033 Harrer Pál utca 12, Tel: 250-3593. M-F:930-18, Sat:9-13 This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
-Bioflóra, reform food and honey, 1036 Pacsirtamező u. 29. T: 240-8782, M-F: 9-18,Sat:9-14
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
-Biosystem, 1036, Bécsi út 57-61. T:250-0935 M-F: 9-18, Sat: 9-13 This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
-Bugáék Herbs and Organic shop, Kolossy tér Market, I. floor. 13/b, T: 250-5104; M-F: 10-18, Sat: 9-12
-Csermely naturpatika, Lajos u. 38. T: 250-3298 M-F: 9-19, Sat: 9-13
-Életfa Egészségvédő Központ, 1031 Budapest, Kadosa u. 6. T:242-2612
-Ezerjófű gyógynövénybolt, Vízimolnár u. 6. T:242-0629
-Natura - Új Udvar Shopping Mall, 1036 Bécsi út 38-44. T:367-2626, M-F:10-20, Sat-Sun:10-18
-Odette candida- és bioszaküzlet, 1036 Lajos u. 45. (by the Kolossy tér) T: 368-0866 , 30-295-0728
-Öko Centrum (Ínyenc biobolt), Bécsi út 223. T:240-3977

-Ökoszerviz Környezetvédelmi Kft.(Nagykereskedés), 1033 Szentendrei út 89-93. T: 387-8008
-Prána biobolt, 1039 Juhász Gy. u. 9. T: 06-20-9310761
District IV.
-Jňkai Centrum, 1042 Budapest, Arpad ut 77, T: 369-2461, M-F: 8-19, Sat: 8-13
-MM, 1043 Munkásotthon u. 14-16, T: 390-5944/70-267-3849, M:8-18, T-F: 10-18
-Pi-víz centrum, Rózsa u. 15
District V.
-Bio ABC -Bioporta, Múzeum krt.19. T:317-3043; F: 328-0119, M-F:10-19 Sat:10-14
-Diótörő, Kossuth Lajos u. 6. T: 318-5976, F: 239-1214, M-F: 10-18, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
-Életerő sziget, Vásárcsarnok, Hold u. 13. T: 70-209-2404 M-F: 8-16
-Füvészbolt, 1055 Honvéd u. 17/a T.:311-7384
-Koleszterin Stop Natura, 1054 Garibaldi utca 5. T:331-7042
District VI.
-Bio Med Bt., 1064 Vörösmarty utca 31. T: 342-1343, M-F: 8-1730, Sat: 8-13
-Feng Shui Centrum, Podmaniczky utca 91. T: 331-2898
-Gyógynövény és Testkultúra Bolt, 1066 Oktogon tér 4. T:302-1324
-Lékuckó Bio Reform Bolt (Reform Kuckó), 1066 Teréz krt. 32. T: 269-3298 M-F:10-18 Sat:10-13
-Napos Oldal Öko Café, Jókai utca 7. T:311-9480 M-F:10-22 Sat:10-13
-Napos Oldal Bio Zöldség-Gyümölcs, Jókai utca 8
-Napfényes Ízek Restaurant and Organic shop, Rózsa u. 39, T: 351-5649 M-F:10-23, Sat-Sun: 12-23
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
-Oltalom Alapítvány , Benczúr u. 9.
-Rebarbara, 1067 Eötvös u. 8. T:06-30-283-0476, M-Sat: 7-22, Sun: 13-22
District VII.
-Carotta Organic shop and Elixír bookshop (Arzenál shopping center), 1076 Thököly út 2., Alagsor 24. T:351-7535/2925
-Herba-ház gyógynövény biobolt, 1070 Bethlen G. u. 6. T: 321-5791 M-F: 9-18, Sat: 9-13
District VIII.
-Ararat. 1085 Üllői út 24, T: 411-0385, M-F 10-18, Sat: 9-13, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
-Bio-csemege, József krt. 25. T:318-0849, 70-515-2278, M-F: 9-19, Sat: 9-13
-Borostyán -Gyógynövény Drogéria, József krt.44. T:210-6978 M-F:10-18 Sat:10-13
-Biopont Vegetarian Restaurant and Organic Shop, Krúdy Gy. u. 7 T:Tel: 266-4601
-Éden Biobolt, 1082 Baross u. 59. Borsodi Gábor T: 70-251-8126, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , M-F: 10-17 Sat: 10-15
-Fitopharma Gyógynövény Kft., 1089 Benyovszky M. út 10. T:313-4670
-Makrobiocentrum, Somogyi Béla u. 16. T: 20-934-6638 M-F:10-17 Sat:10-15
District IX.
-Bioház, 1092 Köztelek u. 4/b. T: 217-6381 H-P: 10-18, Szo: 9-13, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
-Napfény-ház, 1092 Ráday u. 38-40. T: 216-7217 H-P: 10-18, Szo: 9-13
-Natúr Forrás, 1093 Pipa u. 6. T: 70-361-0893, H-P: 10-18, Szo: 10-1330
-Nektár, 1092 Ferenc krt. 42 T: 217-3510, H-Cs: 10-19 P: 10-18 Szo: 10-13
-Zarándok biobolt, 1097 Páva u. 7
District X.
-Harmónia Reformház (Árkádia shopping center), 1101 Örs vezér tere, T: 434-8350
District XI.
-Bio-bolt, Villányi út 52. T: 385-8828 H-P: 10-18, Szo: 10-13
-Bio-fazék, 111 Bartók Béla út 30. Tel.: 209-0658
-Bio-forrás, 1117 Budafoki út 81. T: 209-5011 H-P: 9-18 Szo: 8-12
-Biomanna, Fehérvári úti csarnok, 2/24. üzlet
-Bio Tanya, 1114 Bartók Béla út 41. (entrance from above Ménesi út) T: 209-0863
-Egészségőrház, Somogyi u. 27. H-P: 9-1830, Szo: 8-13
-Gyógynövénybolt, 1119, Etele út 24. T: 06-70-249-2934 H-P: 9-18 This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
-Kamilla Bio-vit 1118 Regős u. 16. T: 30-335-9471, 70-385-7432, 20-943-8311 H-P: 10-18, Szo: 10-13 This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
-Nap-Ra Kft., 1114 Szabolcska Mihály út 5. T: 466-5627 H-P: 8-18 Szo: 8-13
-Napsugár reform and organic shop 1112, Németvölgyi út 132 T: 70-257-1933 H-P: 10-20, Szo: 10-15
-Oázis 1114, Kosztolányi Dezső tér 11. T: 466-8869
-Pi-víz centrum, 1114 Eszék u. 2.
-Vital Centrum, Bogáncsvirág u. 11-13. T: 433-3540
District XII.
-Bioptron Gyógycentrum 121 Költő utca 26/C.
-Egészségbolt, Csaba u. 3. T: 212-2542 H-P: 8: 30-1930 Szo: 830-1330
-Életház Biocentrum (restaurant and bio-shop) Böszörményi út 13-15. Bányay Géza, T: 212-5881
-Napsugár Öko Világ Bio Bolt 1123 Greguss u. 11. Blaskovits Judit. T: 214-9731
District XIII.
-Bio Box'99 Bt. 1132 Csanády u. 4./a T: 349-9048
-Biokuckó a Duna Plázában 1138, Váci út 178. T: 320-9327 H-P: 10-20, Szo: 10-16
-BIO-MÁNIA Biobolt 1133 Budapest, Pannónia u. 57/B. Tatovszky Mária Zsuzsanna, T: 20-477-4569
-Egészséges étkek boltja (former CIBARIA) 137 Pozsonyi út 49. Tel.: 339-0209 H-P: 9-18 This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
-Életelixír biobolt 1138 Visegrádi u. 83/c. T: 320-6261
-Életelixír Gyógyközpont 1138 Révész u. 2/b. T: 359-0052
-Élettár Visegrádi u. 52-54. T: 239-0859 H-Cs: 11-18 P: 11-14
-Gyógyír Váci út 64. T: 330-7699, 20-923-2617 H-P: 9-18, Szo: 9-13
-Herbárium+Egészségbolt Párkány u. 34.
-Kamilla biopatika Lehel piac galéria T: 288-6826 H-P: 8-18, Szo: 8-14, V: 8-13
-Natura-bio Ipoly u. 16. H-P: 10-18, Szo: 9-12
-Naturland 1136 Hollán E. u. 3. T: 329-2866 H-P: 945-18 Szo: 10-14
-Ökosarok Lehel piac F. 619. T-F: 730-18, Szo: 7-14
-Pi bio bolt Balzac u. 12. T: 239-3059 H-P: 10-13 + 14-18 Szo: 10-13
-Sárkányfű biobolt Lehel piac G. 626. T: 288-6831 H-P: 730-1830, Szo: 7-13 This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
-Vita-Vega Lehel piac F. 601. T: 466-7245 H-P: 7-17, Szo-V: 7-13
District XIV.
-Bio-Exklusiv Kft. 1149 Pillangó park 4/B. T: 363-0140
-PA-BO Bt.(Feng Shui) 1141 Komócsy utca 39-41. T: 30-971-7150
-Pi-víz centrum Róna u. 213
-Vireco Kft. - Retail shop of reform food 1142 Budapest, Szatmár u. 72-74. T: 383-6107, 223-0919
-Zuglói Natural Kft. 1148 Nagy Lajos király útja 82/A T: 363-0923 H-P: 10-18 Szo: 9-12
XV. kerület
-Gyógynövénybolt Széchenyi út 2. T: 20-551-3811, H-P: 10-17, Szo: 9-12
-Rozmaring Naturbolt 1152, Szőcs Áron út 2-4. T: 271-0723, 70-207-9923 H-P: 10-19, Szo: 9-13; This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
District XVI.
-Biobolt Veres Péter út - Imre u sarok T: 407-2976 H-P: 7-18, Szo: 8-13
-BIO-Reform Rákosi út 142. T: 405-4207
-Harmónia gyógynövénybolt 1162, Szlovák út 81. T: 409-1122, 30-507-3923 H: 14-19, K-P: 9-12, 14-19, Szo: 9-13
-Zsálya Kertpatika ökogazdabolt 1163 Sashalmi sétány 26. Szél Szilvia T: 405-4262 H-P: 10-18 This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
District XVII.
-Bio-ház Ferihegyi út 66. H-P: 9-18, Szo: 9-1230
-Bio Pi-víz Pesti út 144. T: 20-224-8712 H-P: 8-18
-Napraforgó biobolt VII. Pesti út 67-73. Krámer Ágnes T: 256-0614 This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
-Targi Pesti út 368. T: 20-545-8675, 20-253-8874. H-P: 7-19, Szo: 7-14
District XVIII.
-Bio bolt és vegetáriánus étterem Királyhágó utca 48. T: 290-1084 H-Szo: 9-22, V: 9-15
-Biokuckó Thököly út 2. T: 291-3010 H/K/Cs/P: 10-18 Sze: 8-16, Szo: 8-12
-Tölgy 1188 Tölgy u. 2. T: 291-9477 H, Sze, P: 10-17, K, Cs: 12-19, Szo: 9-12
District XIX.
-Napsugár 1191 Hunyadi u. 21. T: 20-461-1116 H: 12-19 K-P: 10-18 Szo: 830-13 This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
-Füves patika Kossuth téri piaccsarnok, T: 280-6719 H-P: 8-17, Szo: 8-13
District XXI.
-Manna éltető ételek boltja 1212 Rákoczi F. u. l42. T: 276-5567 H-P: 7-18, Szo: 7-13
-Természet patikája Csepeli piac, Deák tér 1. T: 427-1298 H: 8-16, K-P: 7-17, Szo: 7-13
District XXII.
-Reformház Biobolt Kossuth L. u. 13 T: 229-0131 H-P: 830-18, Szo: 8-13 This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Countryside (outside of Budapest)
Ajka
- Természet Boltja 8400 Fő utca 13. T: 88-214991
- Tisztaforrás Biobolt 8400 Szabadság tér 20. T: 88-200102 H-P: 9-17 Szo: 9-12
Bábolna 2943, Kereskedőudvar Bioporta. T: 34/369-688
Baja Árnika naturbolt Deák Ferenc u. 12.
Balatonfüred Biocenter Szivárvány u. 38.
Békéscsaba Zöld Kosár Mednyánszky út 45. T: 66/447-157. H-P: 830-1830 Sz: 830-12 This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Napraforgó Reform és Biobolt 5600 Andrássy út 4. 1.emelet , T: 70-3849205 H-P: 830-1830, Szo: 8-12; This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Biatorbágy Natúrthéka (Viadukt lakópark) Káposztáskert u. 5/a T: 23/312-332, 30-989-4889 H-P: 8-19, Szo: 8-14
Budaörs, Pi-víz centrum, Szabadság u. 38
Cegléd Biobolt 2700, Kossuth F. u. 3-5.
Debrecen 4 Margaréta Bt
Biobolt Bem tér 11. T: 52/430-474 H-P: 9-1730 Szo: 830-1230
Biobolt Darabos u. 4. 52/322-107 H-P: 9-18 Szo: 9-13
Dorog Gyógynövénybolt 2510 Munkás u. T: 30-977-7800 H-P: 10-18, Szo: 9-13
Dunaharaszti, Natura reform- és bioélelmiszer Fo út 21 H: 13-18 K-P: 10-18 Szo: 9-12
Dunakeszi Szegő Péter Malomforgalmazó 120 Krajcár utca 6, T: 27/343-937
Egészségtár Dunakeszi Auchan Nádas u. 6. T: 27-543385
Ezerjófű Fő út 14. T: 27-547-130 KCsP: 9-12 + 13-17, Sz: 9-12, 13-15, Szo: 9-12
Dunaújváros Forrás Egészségbolt Vasmű út 25. T: 25/28-2080 H-P: 9-1230, 1330-18, Szo: 9-12 This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Eger Életház Dobó tér 1, Erzsébet udvar H-P: 9-19, Szo: 9-13
Érd. Prána Bio- és Ezoterikus Bolt. 2030 Balatoni út 54. T: 23/374-395 H-P: 9-19, Szo: 9-13
Esztergom Biotéka Simor J. u. 24.
Tiszta - Étel Biobolt Simor J. u. 45. T:-20-3331180 H-P: 9-17, Szo: 9-13
Göd Biobolt Kincsem u. 2. T: 20-925-6356 K-P: 9-17, Szo: 8-12
Gödöllő BioCentrum, Bajcsy Zsilinszky utca 18 H-P: 9-18, Szo: 9-13
Biobolt Pizza Max 2000 Kft. 2100 Remsey J. krt.7 T: 28/432-506
Gyál 360 Bari Bioforrás. Virág utca 27. T: 29/346-576
Győr Amba bio- és natúrélelmiszer 9028, Szabadi út 13/a T: 20-382-4500 H: 830-12, K-P: 830-12, 14-18, Szo: 830-12
Biotéka 9021 Kisfaludy u. 15. T: 96/318-782
Életforrás Reformélelmiszerbolt 9022, Pállfy u. 4. T: 30-520-9228; This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it H: 9-17, K-P: 9-18, Szo: 9-13
Fénymag 9024 Zrinyi u. 21. T: 30-947-8563
Gyula Natura patika 5700 Bajza u. 5. (next to the market) H-P: 9-12, 14-17, Szo-V: 9-12
Herba Kuckó 5700 Kossuth tér 1. (near taxi stand, in courtyard) H-P: 9-17, Szo: 9-12
Harta, Bajcsy-Zsilinszky u. 9. (bus stop)
Bio bázis. H-P: 8-12 + 14-17 Szo: 8-12
Hatvan Biotéka 3000 Kossuth tér 10. H-P: 8-13+14-17, Szo: 8-12
Hévíz Elixír herbária Rákóczi u. 1-3. T: 20-978-9058 H-P: 9-18, Szo: 9-12
Biobolt Széchenyi u. 24. T: 83-340-699 H-P: 9-18, Szo: 9-13
Kaposvár Egészségünkre. Irányi Dániel u. 21 T: 82/415-043 H-P: 730-1730 Szo: 8-12 This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Herbária. Berzsenyi út 11 (at Tesco)
Reform Bolt. és Pi-víz Centrum Fo u. 34 (in courtyard) Fülöp László T: 82-410-077 H-P: 9-17, Szo: 9-12 This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Kecskemét Természet Patikája 6000 Wesselényi u. 8, T: 76-321297
Bio-Íz 6000, Deák F. tér 6. T: 76-483-711
Írisz drogéria és reformélelmiszerbolt 6000 Petőfi Sándor u. 11. T: 76-417-363
Keszthely
Ezerjófű Drogéria 8360 Piac tér T: 83-320-115 H-P: 8-17, Szo: 8-13
Kisbér Simon és Társa Bt. 2870, Beyr utca 8 T/F: 34/352-563
Lábatlan Öko Kft. 2541 Rákóczi út 182. T: 33-461064
Mátészalka Ezerjófű 4700 Kölcsey u. 17. T: 30-4147-725
Miskolc Bio-tár 3527 Zsolnai kapu 4-6. T: 46-411-464 H-P: 9-17, Szo: 9-12
Nagyatád Biopatika 7500 Mártírok útja 23 T: 82-553111
Nagykőrös Gabi Gabona Jókai u. 9. T: 53-350-869 H-P: 8-12+14-18, Szo: 8-12
Nyíregyháza Bio-Bau Kft. 4400 Vasgyár utca 2/B. T: 42-315536
Egészség biobolt 4400 Munkás u. 53. T: 42-342-339
Biostand - Piaccsarnok Búza tér
Ózd Bio-Szaldó Kft 3600, Szövetkezeti utca 15. T: 48-476321
Pécs Bio bolt 7621, Kazinczy u. 3. 7621,
Manna bio-reformkultúra. Felsőmalom u. 2. T: 72-700-900, 30-416-7426 H-P: 10-18, Szo: 9-12 Tóth Gergely
Natura 7626 Rákóczi út 69. T: 72/332-912 H-P: 9-17
Pilisvörösvár Dr. Bubó Bio- és Diabéteszcentrum Fő út 27. T: 26-332-577/2 H-P: 8-18, Szo: 8-12
Salgótarján BioCentrum. 3100, Fülek utca 69. T: 32/431-593
Vásárcsarnok, Erzsébet tér 2.
Siófok Natur Bolt 8600 Wesselényi utca 19  T: 84/310-849
Sopron, Bio Farm Mátyás király u. 34 T: 99/334-895
Solymár Ezerjófű Reformélelmiszer 2083 Terstyánszky u. 37 T: 26-360-280, K-P: 10-18, Szo: 8-13
Szeged BioCsemege 6721 Vidra utca 3. T: 62/420-675, H/Sz/P: 10-1730, KCs: 9-1730
BioMobil Kft. 725 Tamási Lajos utca 67 T: 62/421-321
Fű-szer-tár Gogol u. 1. T: 62/329-677 H-P: 9-17
Natura Csongrádi sugárút 1. T: 62/423-856, 62/425739
Szekszárd Elixír Egészségvédő éls Szolgáltató Kft. T: 74/317-374 7100, Szentgáli Gyula u. 2
Szentendre Bioszféra Attila u 23/A (MOL kúttal szemben) T: 26/319-355, 20-205-4235 H-P: 9-18, Szo: 9-13. This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Biobolt Paprikabíró u. 1a. T: 20-971-3779, 20-941-6195 H-P: 9-18, Szo: 8-13.
Bio és Reform élelmiszerüzlet Dunakanyar krt. 2. T: 26/301-343 H-P: 9-18, Szo: 8-13
Doktor Természet Gyógynövénypatika (Interspar áruház) T: 20-918-0579 This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Szécsény Biobolt Rákóczi út 72. T: 20-937-0331
Székesfehérvár
Édesvíz ezoterikus biobolt Vár krt. 3. T: 22/323-531 H-P: 7-18, Szo: 7-13
Tavaszpont Ady E. u. 5. T: 22/379-447
Szombathely
Napfény Széchenyi u. 10. T: 94-343-603 H-P: 9-17, Szo: 8-12.
Őrségi Natur Bolt Szent Márton u. 12. (by the market, a corner shop) T: 30-611-0446 H-P: 8-17, Szo: 8-12. This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Taksony Biobolt 2335, Széchenyi u. 1.
Tamási Bio Fontana (Bio cosmetics). 7090, Kossuth tér 6. T: 74/471-558
Gyógykozmetikumok Boltja 7090 Gárdonyi G. utca 19. T: 74/471-798
Tata Biobolt 2890 Ady E. út 17. Esterházy udv.
Tatabánya Ezerjófű 2800, Dózsakert út 44. T: 34/321-269 H-P: 930-18, Szo: 9-12.
13.sz. Herbária 2800, Bláthy Ottó u 1. T: 34-300-352
Természet Patikája Ságvári Endre u. 7c. T: 30-348-9463 H-P: 8-1630, Szo: 830-12
Tokod -Altáró 2532 Béke tér 1/4
Bioudvar-Biopiac. T: 33/466-350
Tura Milla 96 Bt 2194, Piac tér 28 T: 28/466-620
Vác Bio-Ritmus 2600 Káptalan u. 7.
Vecsés 220 Károly u. 2.(opens off of Telepi u.)
Aroma Biobolt és Gyógynövény Üzlet. H-P: 830-1830, Szo: 8-13 Juhász Miklós. This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Veszprém Eszter Biobolt 8200, FFórum Shopping Centre Kistó u. 27. T: 88-426-455/120
Natur Porta 8200, Budapesti út 8. T: 88/422-182 H-P: 9-12+13-1730, Szo: 9-12
Zalaegerszeg
A' la Nature Rákóczi u. 29. T: 92-598-841, 70-333-2893. H-Cs: 730-19, P: 730-15
Natúra bolt 8900, Ady u. 49. T: 92-347-126
Sources: Okoszolgalat , biopiac , vegeterian.hu , Biochef

What to do with an Old Fridge?

Having just moved into a partly furnished flat, I had to get rid of an old Russian fridge that was already in the flat. There the awkward debate of course about what to do with old non-energy efficient fridges and the freon gas in the coils. However, I reckon it is better that someone gets some use out of it if it still works rather than sending it to the landfill where the coils will be broken, the gas escapes, and someone has to pay for the resources going into a new appliance. There is a shop at Wesselenyi u. 40 (VII district) that deals with used tvs and fridges. If you call them, they <!-- pagebreak -->will come and take a look and make an offer, and take it away for free. Please remember to clean it, and to plug it in the night before so they can see that it works. I think they might have cheated me a bit because they said the thermostat did not work, when for me it did for a week - but in the end, I did not care. I got a whole 1000 forint (and it was old and ugly and loud) and they took it away for free, and someone else will get the use of it. M-F 9-18, Sat: 9-13, tel: 352-0277

If you need a tailor/seamstress, I found another good one recently just down the street from the shop. Magdi Szabosag, Csengery u. 36, tel: 342-6594. She is friendly, inexpensive, and quick.

Some Simple Things You Can Do to Conserve Energy

Energy prices are going through the roof, the Russians and Ukrainians are playing politics with the European natural gas supply, and climate change is very much upon us. In order to save lots of money, save the planet, and achieve some energy security, here are some simple things you can do to save energy.

♦Buy A-A+ energy rated appliances.

A -
B +23% more energy used than A
C +47%
D +71%
E +94%

F + 118%

G +141%

The refrigerator should not be located in a hot place (e.g. next to a cooker, next to a washing machine, in direct sunlight etc.). Make sure that a thick layer of dust does not accumulate on the coils at the back. It's recommended that they are cleaned once a year. Position the refrigerator so that air can circulate freely around the coils.

♦ Pipe insulation If pipes carrying hot water are routed through unheated parts of a building (e.g. through a roof space) then a lot of energy will be wasted. Insulating the pipes will save large amounts of energy, and will also increase the temperature of the hot water supply.

♦ Getting the most from radiators Locating radiators optimally can help to improve the comfort level in a room, and ensure that the occupants of the room benefit from the heat that the radiator produces. Where a radiator is mounted on an outside wall, using a reflecting layer fitted to the wall behind the radiator can reduce the amount of heat loss. This stuff is basically bubble-wrap packaging with a layer of aluminum over it, and can be found at Obi, Praktiker, Baumax and other such shops for about 1 euro/m2. Thermostatic radiator valves reduce energy waste by allowing the heat output of individual radiators to be regulated to match needs.

♦ The refrigerator should not be located in a hot place (e.g. next to a cooker, next to a washing machine, in direct sunlight etc.). Make sure that a thick layer of dust does not accumulate on the coils at the back. It's recommended that they are cleaned once a year. Position the refrigerator so that air can circulate freely around the coils.

♦ Door sweeps These are strips of soft brush material that fit to the bottom edge of doors to reduce drafts. Easily attached, close behind you unlike a door snake, and no worries about problems closing the door because of tile height.

♦ Door snake This is simply a fabric 'sausage' that is placed on the floor against the bottom of a door, or between 2 window panes to prevent drafts.

♦ Insulation panels on doors If doors are thin, a lot of heat can be lost by conduction directly through them. This can be reduced by fitting insulating panels.

♦Door closing springs Despite efforts to raise public awareness, people are still likely to forget to close doors. Springs can be fitted to close doors automatically, so reducing heat loss.

♦ Shutters Wooden shutters which are closed at night will reduce the amount of heat lost through windows.

♦ Plastic film secondary glazing Heat loss through windows can be reduced by 25-40% by using clear plastic film to form a cheap, simple but temporary form of double-glazing.

♦ Heavy curtains on windows and doors If they are closed at night, heavy curtains can prevent heat loss through windows. It's important to make sure they don't hang in front of radiators. Heavy curtains can also be hung over doors to prevent heat loss.

♦ Window catches If window catches do not work properly, windows do not close completely, and heat may be lost.

♦ Expanding foam around window frames Sometimes there may be large gaps that need filling (for example, between the wall and the window frame). These can be filled with expanding polyurethane foam from a can. However, this material is very difficult to use, and there are doubts about its environmental impact.

♦ Roof insulation (flat roofs) or loft insulation (pitched roofs) A very large amount of heat is lost through the roof of a building. Although it can be quite expensive, insulating the roof (or the loft space where there is a sloping roof) is usually very cost-effective.

♦ Carpets A lot of heat is lost through the floor. Where floors are wooden with an air space beneath, cold air (and dust) can leak in through the gaps between the floorboards. Where floors are solid concrete, they are cold and unpleasant to walk on. Carpets will reduce the heat loss through floors as well as improving comfort.

♦ Compact fluorescent lamps These use only about 20% as much electricity to produce the same amount of light as ordinary incandescent lights, 80% savings! They are expensive, so they are not economical if they are fitted in rooms where the lights are only switched on for short periods. If the power supply quality is poor (frequent blackouts, unstable voltage etc) they may not work as well. These bulbs cannot be used on dimmer switches!!! Now many companies produce these bulbs, but you should be aware of several things about these companies. Phillips probably manufactures the highest quality, but they are also the most expensive. The human rights record of China may reduce the desirability of these producers. Siemens (Osram and Bosch  are also Siemens), as well as GE (owner of Hungarian light bulb giant Tungstrum, are major players trying to promote nuclear power in Eastern Europe. Check the light the bulb gives off before you make your final purchase - some give off blue, red or yellow light, and given the wrong choice, you can feel like you are in an aquarium. Lastly,these now come in all shapes ans sizes,even some that are the same shape as traditional incandescent bulbs.When GE bought Tungstrum they did not clean up the toxic waste as promised at the factory, but thanks to GE, Budapest's Chain Bridge is lit up with compact fluorescents. 

♦ Luminaire selection and maintenance The luminaire is the name given to the whole structure that a light bulb is fitted in. Some luminaires are better at directing more light to where it is needed. All luminaires are more efficient if they are kept clean.

♦ Task lighting. Electricity consumption in homes and offices can be reduced by using individual task lights (for example, desk lamps) to provide bright light only where it is actually needed.

♦ Water-saving taps and shower heads These are simple and cheap attachments which mix air with the flow of hot water. The tap / shower head works just as well as before, but only requires about half as much hot water. Less hot water down the drain means less energy wasted.

♦ Behavior changes Surprisingly large amounts of energy can be saved just by changing behaviors. Obvious examples are switching off lights that are not needed, not leaving a hot tap running unnecessarily, boiling only as much water in the kettle as you need.

♦ Boiler thermostats Large amounts of heat will be wasted if a boiler is heating water to an unnecessarily high temperature. Fitting a thermostat to the boiler can prevent this.

♦ Awnings These are canvas shades which are stretched above the outside of windows in summer to prevent direct sun from entering the window, helping to reduce overheating of buildings in summer. This will not actually save energy unless the building is air-conditioned, but it will improve comfort.

♦ Planting trees as a windbreak A row of trees can prevent the wind from blowing directly on a building, so reducing the heat loss.

♦ Conservatories These are structures made from glass, a bit like a greenhouse, but built against the south wall of a house. They trap the heat of the sun and so reduce the amount of heat lost during winter.

♦ Greening of walls A layer of climbing plants growing over a wall traps a layer of air around the building and acts as an insulating blanket.

♦ Plugging leaks in hot air ducts In some buildings, the heating system works by heating up air in a central heating plant. The hot air is then blown through a system of ducts into the rooms. If these ducts have leaks, then hot air is being wasted.

♦ Gaskets behind electrical fittings Some buildings are constructed with a cavity between the main wall and an interior layer of cladding. Cold air can leak into a room through the small gaps around light switches and electrical sockets. The fitting of rubber gaskets behind electrical fittings can reduce this.

♦ Caulking of leaks Caulk is a general term for any soft material that is used to fill cracks permanently. Many different materials can be used, with different costs, different lifetimes and different environmental qualities.

♦ Powering off electrical appliances (rather than leaving on standby) Many newer electrical appliances (particularly televisions) have a 'standby' mode, where although they are not operating, they are still consuming electricity. A lot of power can be saved by not leaving televisions on standby for long periods. As I have said several times already in this blog, standby lights on TVs, just TVs, just in the US, consume as much electricity as one nuclear power plant each year. Add to that DVD players, stereos, monitors...Some equipment these days, like adsl modems, do not even come with an off switch! Plug everything into an extension cord with a master switch. When you leave for work or go to bed, or when the stuff is generally not in use, just flick the master switch. Appliances still draw power when turned off but plugged in.

♦ Clean filters, ventilation, and fans such as those in computers so they will run more efficiently and draw less energy. Also clean your light bulbs and lamp shades.

♦ Keep the thermostat at 20 C or below. If you are chilly, throw on a sweater or go cuddle with someone.

♦ Lower ceiling height to 2.5 meters.

♦ Insulate your windows. Avoid the cheap foam strips. The foam strips are not very efficient, and disintegrate in a year anyway. Buy silicon p-profile strips. 25 meters costs about 4000-4500 forint, and saves up to 35% of your energy costs by shutting out the drafts. Clean the areas where you are going to apply the strips, wait till the area dries, then apply. These come in different sizes, so to see what size you need place pieces of blue tack around the window and close the window on the blue tack. Measure the imprint. If it is squished very flat, then you need the smallest insulation. The 2-5mm strips are the large size, and in my flat, the average.

♦If you are putting in a new bathtub, put Styrofoam or other insulation around the tub before tiling.

Do Something Good with Your Hungarian Income Tax

It is tax time again. Unlike in the US where 1 USD of your taxes can only be donated to the incumbent president, Hungary allows you to choose an NGO or charity to donate 1% of your taxes too. Every bit helps, and it might as well go to a good cause! Here are some tips from Treehugger Dan:

Simply fill out the small white 1%-pledge form, ("Rendelkezõ nyilatkozat a befizetett adó egy százalékáról") which accompanies the main tax form. Place the pledge form in a regular size envelope. If you submit your tax form yourself, send the sealed envelope to the Tax Office (APEH) together with your tax form. Please, write your name, address and tax number on the front of the envelope (Make sure you indicate these data correctly, because the Tax Office will discard any forms that are incomplete.) If your employer prepares the 2007 tax declaration for you, please, sign the envelope on the back where it is sealed and then give it to your employer. Employers can accept your 1% commitment until the end of the month of May.

Where to Find Green Cleaning Products in Budapest

I get a lot of shopping questions about where people can find environmentally-friendly household cleaning goods, etc. I do my shopping at Okoszolgalat (Ecoservice). Okoszolgalat is the coordination center for Hungary's environmental NGOs, and home to the Green Phone environmental hot line/help service. It also has a small shop attached called the Zöld Zug. I get my tile floor cleaner, dish soap and wc cleaner from here. There are also many other products available such as recycled paper and paper products, and reusable diapers/nappies. For liquid cleaning supplies, bring your own bottle and they will fill it up for you. English is spoken. V. District, Nador u. 34 (near Parliament), in the courtyard directly across when you enter the building. tel: 311-7855
Open Monday 8-17, Tuesday-Thursday 8-16, Friday 8-14

There was also a green baby products store called Zizi that closed its doors last year but went on-line. Unfortunately, I cannot find any sign of them at the moment except this article on Caboodle.
http://www.caboodle.hu/nc/news/news_archive/single_page/article/11/nappies_that/

Clothes Donations and Textile Recycling in Budapest

In the past month, I have had three inquiries about where to take used clothing for donation or recycling. Here are some tips from HUMUSZ (Hungarian Waste Working Group). If you want to get rid of old clothes to be reprocessed, two companies deal with textile waste:http://www.temaforg.hu/en/index.html, http://www.kompass.com/en/HU005284

There are some selective collection containers at large supermarkets in parking lots like at the
Törökbálinti Cora, Budakalászi Cora. In addition, here are a few more possibilities:

Refills

For those with gas stoves, we all go through a bunch of matches each week. Unlike in the West, former-CEE/CIS countries have a long tradition of refills, but a little-known one is for disposable lighters. Once the gas runs out, you can actually get them refilled here. many key shops (kulcs masolas) do refills for pennies. For example, there is one on the corner of Nagymezo u. and Bajcsy Zs. Ut (on Nagymezo). Also, the flint is till good and they still spark, so keep one around to light your stove-top rings.

One of my favorite movies as a kid was Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971). What child did not want to win the golden ticket? Who didn't want to see the mysteries hidden behind the tall walls of the factory? Who didn't feverishly ride their bikes to the Penny Candy Store at every chance and buy sweets with grubby hands and hungry eyes? Isn't this why we worked for our allowance money? It was not until 15 years later in college that upon watching the film again after many years that I realized the film was actually about imperialism and colonialism. That while I was taking out the trash and mowing the lawn for 5 dollars a week, other children in the Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Cameroon, Mexico, Ghana and elsewhere were literally slaves and worked to death by the thousands for those same chocolates. In fact, most do not know what they are harvesting or what it is used for.

Cocoa was first used by the Olmec in Mezo-America as a drink, so highly prized, that the Mayans and Aztecs later used cocoa beans as currency, not gold or silver. Cocoa pods are the size of butternut squash, containing grey-purple seeds the size of almonds in tan-colored pulp. The pods are split and the seeds left to ferment and dry before being roasted. The Spanish first developed a triangular trade bringing weapons and salted cod to Africa, African slaves to the Americas (12-15 million) to work the cocoa plantations, and chocolate to Europe. It was Spanish priests and monks after Cortez conquered the area that began adding sugar and later spices to the brew. Chocolate's pharmaceutical properties are thought to include theobromine and caffeine that stimulate and dilate blood vessels; Phenylethylamine which stimulates sexual drive; Serotonin , a mind-altering chemical that can relieve depression; and perhaps antioxidants. Up until the 1800s, Europeans still bought cocoa in pharmacies.
Until 1828, the cocoa butter content, so highly valued and warred over by the Aztecs and Mayans, was routinely thrown out by Europeans who found it unpleasant on the palate. They tried everything to reduce the cocoa butter content, but it was still 50% fat. Dutchman C.J. Van Houten invented a hydraulic cocoa press to squeeze the grease from the roasted beans. He later determined the right fat content to easily emulsify it for home preparation. In 1840, Quaker Joseph Fry attached a steam engine to Van Houten's press. He also began to mix back some of the cocoa butter  into the cocoa powder, and the resulting mass could then be molded into the modern "melt in your mouth" chocolate bar. Quakers were integral in the chocolate trade, because unlike other commodity production, they did not find it sinful. Another Quaker, Cadbury created the first box of bonbons in the 1860s, intimately linked chocolate to Valentine's Day, and in 1875 introduced the first chocolate Easter Egg.

English investigative reporter Henry Woodd Nevinson began investigating the cocoa trade about this time. The Portuguese-controlled islands of Sao Tome and Principe (Cameroon) were both the leading producers of cocoa, as well as the location of some of the worst abuses. The Portuguese brought salve labor from Angola, none of whom ever returned home. The British Government turned a blind eye to the Portuguese practices because they did not want dirt dredged up about their own use of slave labor in the gold and diamond mines of South Africa. Twenty years after the first reports, neither the British Government nor the supposedly socially-concerned Quaker chocolate magnates had done a thing to stop the slavery.  Cocoa production was not the only commodity based on slave labor, nor was the worst abuses in this sector, but Cadbury, Rowntree, Fry, and others had made chocolate special, a symbol of joy, an innocent pleasure; but in reality it was made with blood, death and slave labor. Because of chocolate's symbolism, people expected a higher corporate and moral standard from chocolate companies than the diamond and gold pillagers.

In 1887, Swiss Henri Nestle blended milk with cocoa solids to create milk chocolate. Hersey later used condensed and powdered milk to the same effect in the US. Meanwhile, UK companies moved their operations to Trinidad and Jamaica, partly because their plantations in Africa were being decimated by disease, but also to avoid scrutiny.  Corporations imported slave labor from China and elsewhere to work the new plantations.  In 1910, the US passed a law prohibiting the import of cocoa produced with slave labor.  However, US companies controlled sugar production in Cuba, a major component in chocolate, with slaves from China and Africa.
In the 1930s, Forrest Mars introduced the Milky Way (Mars Bar in UK), Snickers and Three Musketeers candy bars, using solidified malted milk drink and nougat coated in chocolate. Rowntree introduced the Kit Kat, Black Magic and Aero about the same time.

While cocoa plantations in the Americas were in turn destroyed by disease, and companies relocated to Africa again, Mars and Herseys joined forces to produce Smarties and M&Ms. The Gold Coast (Ghana) in turn became the world leader cocoa production, but were then surpassed by the Ivory Coast in the 1980s. Benevolent dictator Felix Houphouet-Boigny converted the country's economy and bet the country's future on cocoa in the 1960s. But by the 1990s, the country had descended into poverty, chaos, war and child slavery. Child trafficking from Mali and Burkina Faso to the cocoa plantations in the Ivory Coast assisted the country in continuing to supply over 50% of the world's cocoa. "Child slavery had become the secret ingredient in chocolate." UNICEF and the US State Department estimated that more than 15000 child slaves worked the plantations in 1998.  Children in the thousands were being enslaved and abused - for CHOCOLATE. The Mali Government did very little to stem the practice, since the country depended on trade with its neighbor.

US Congressman Eliot Engel introduced a law in 2001 that would have created a "slave free" label for chocolate like the "dolphin safe" label for tuna fish. Senator Tom Harkin joined him in the fight. However, the Senator had already learned that there was a fine line between human rights and economic necessity. Harkin had introduced the Child Labor Defense Act in 1992 that boycotted goods manufactured with child labor. Bangladeshi garment manufacturers panicked and 50000 children were fired, who then took on even more dangerous jobs like rock crushing to help support their families. The balance is to "find a way to take the hazards out of the work, not the child out of work."

Big Chocolate hired Bob Dole and George Mitchell to lobby against the bill. The resulting wrangle produced an industry voluntary agreement called the Harkin-Engel Protocol that delineated six points to eliminate child labor in the cocoa chain by July, 2005.  However, the protocol was voluntary, and did not include provisions for a fair wage, or a fair price for the beans.

In 2002, the protocol was adopted by Big Chocolate worldwide, becoming the International Cocoa Initiative. Simultaneously, an industry-funded investigation found that while there was no slavery, 284000 children worked in hazardous conditions on cocoa farms in West Africa, two-thirds of these in the Ivory Coast. The International Labor Rights Fund rejected the protocol and filed suit using a 1930 US law that prohibits the import of goods made by slaves.

Big Chocolate did not make the 2005 deadline - not even close. They are now setting up a small pilot project in Ghana, now the biggest producer of cocoa along with Indonesia. The International Labor Rights Fund filed a class action suit against Nestle, Cargill and Archer Daniels Midland for trafficking, torture and forced labor on behalf of former child slaves.

Smaller chocolate producers took the lead in "slave free" or socially-conscious chocolate, later integrated into the Fair Trade system. Green & Blacks became the first Fair Trade chocolate in 1994, its signature product being the Maya Gold chocolate bar. High school enrollment for farming families supplying Green & Black have gone from 10% to 70%. If farmers are paid, they normally get around 25 cents/lb., whereas in the Fair Trade system they are guaranteed a minimum of 89 cents/lb. plus premiums.

Fair Trade started in The Netherlands in 1988 with the Max Havelaar brand. Fair Trade is a system in which:
-Trading partnerships are based on reciprocal benefits and mutual respect
-A fair price is guaranteed to small farmers and producers for their products
-Prices paid to producers reflect the work they do
-Workers have the right to organize
-National health, safety, and wage laws are enforced
-Products are environmentally sustainable and conserve natural resources

Easter marks one of the biggest shopping days of the year when it comes to chocolate. By purchasing organic and Fair Trade chocolate, your money will no longer be going towards toxic pesticides, child slavery, and farm worker exploitation.

Source: Bitter Chocolate by Carolyn Off