SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production - Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences
SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production
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SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production
Last modified: 29. November 2025
For detailed information see the topics by clicking on the chapters:
1. ETHICAL SOURCING OF SUPPLIES
1.1. Food supplies on campuses
1.2. Water supplies on campuses
1.3. Environmental and social awareness
2. WASTE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
2.1. Waste water treatment
2.2. Practice on waste disposal
2.3. Minimisation of plastic usage
2.4. Minimisation of disposable items
2.5. Practice on the disposal of hazardous materials
1. ETHICAL SOURCING OF SUPPLIES
The Code of Ethics of MATE is a collection of human and professional conduct standards, reflecting the values voluntarily adopted by the University. The Code applies to both the University’s employees and students.
The Rector’s Instruction 12/2023 (IV.03.) on Ensuring Equal Opportunities and Equal Treatment at the MATE (see p. 5 below) defines equality of staff. Relevant information is provided in Chapter V., Equal Opportunity of Employees at the University, under the section Ensuring equal opportunities for people employed by the University.
1.1. Food supplies on campuses
MATE prioritizes providing sustainably produced food on campus, sourcing products from local and environmentally responsible suppliers whenever possible. Students and staff are encouraged to choose from locally farmed food, supporting both sustainability and the regional economy.
Social gardens and demonstration farms
SZIA Agroecological Garden of MATE in Gödöllő is a social garden which has other tasks and functions besides agricultural production. In our case, it is education, awareness-raising, i.e., the promotion of organic gardening, ecological farming and green, environmentally sustainable lifestyles, and the presentation and dissemination of practical methods. Another important task of the social garden is to provide work and development opportunities for disadvantaged people, such as the disabled and the long-term unemployed.
The garden functions as a community space, providing space for environmental education, camps and workshops. It also serves as a venue for corporate team-building training and family days, where groups can enjoy crafts, gardening and cooking together to raise awareness of sustainability. At SZIA Garden, they practice ecological gardening and work with disabled and disabled colleagues. They sell the vegetables others help them grow to a restaurant and to the local Dombvidék Kosárközösség (Hillside Basket Society). They do not currently sell at their own "SZIA Market", but they are working on getting their customers to come to them in this way in the future.
https://diverzitasalapitvany.hu/oko-kert/
MATE Farm Enterprise Ltd. is the wholly university‑owned enterprise of MATE, established to manage the university’s practical farms and training facilities. Operating over 3 500 hectares across five sites in four counties (including Gödöllő, Keszthely, and Kaposvár), its mission covers education, research, and production in crop farming, horticulture, viticulture, and livestock. Interested persons can gain hands-on experience with a wide range of livestock—including poultry, pigs, sheep, cattle, bison, deer, and horses—and modern technologies like robotic milking at the Kaposvár dairy farm.
The organization plays a key role in advancing practical training and innovation in agriculture. Through its “demonstration farm” programs, such as courses on precision plant protection and spring crop inspection, it brings together students, farmers, and regional stakeholders for applied learning. In addition, they operate a game processing plant, a winery, a restaurant, a guesthouse, a game park, and a museum.
Sustainable food purchases
MATE places great importance on ensuring reliable access to sufficient, affordable, and nutritious food, and therefore offers a variety of food services across its campuses, including canteens, restaurants, and buffets. Most of these venues provide student discounts or a multi-course daily menu available to both students and staff. The university campuses also feature well-equipped communal areas, complete with microwaves, tables, chairs, and dining utensils.
At the Buda Campus, students can find details about nearby restaurants and canteens here (in Hungarian):
https://kerteszettudomany.uni-mate.hu/étkezés
https://www.nestle.hu/media/pressreleases/szie-kurzus
Also at the Buda Campus, introduced Hungary’s first fully automated warehouse and robotic order-picking system, developed by Logbord Ltd., which streamlines short supply chains, connects local producers with modern technology, and serves as a model for sustainable, tech-driven food distribution.
https://cibushungaricus.hu/automata-raktar-komissiozo-es-atadopont-felavatasa-volt-budan/
At the Campus Bistro at Szent István Campus in Gödöllő, there are 3 menus (menu A-C) and chef's recommendation, also including a vegetarian option:
Amenza has a permanent vegetarian menu under "Other offers"
https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=525033707154574&set=pcb.524548913869720
There are affordable food choices in Campus Étterem at the Kaposvári Campus in Kaposvár, where the 2 course (soup + main course) daily menu is 2 050 HUF, and there are healthy options as steamed vegetables or steamed rice:
https://www.facebook.com/campusetteremdiaktanya/?locale=hu_HU
Information for the Georgikon Campus in Keszthely is available here (in Hungarian):
https://georgikoncampus.uni-mate.hu/egyetemi-menzák-éttermek
1.2 Water supplies on campuses
With its diverse campuses, research sites, and training facilities spread across the country, MATE relies on multiple regional water utility providers. Both drinking water supply and wastewater management are handled by different service companies, depending on the specific location of each university unit.
MATE’s extensive network of campuses and facilities is served by several regional water utility providers, each responsible for supplying drinking water in their respective areas.
Gödöllő and its surroundings are served by DMRV Zrt.
https://www.dmrvzrt.hu/hu/Fooldal
At the Buda Campus, services are provided by Budapest Waterworks and Budapest Sewage Works Zrt.
https://www.vizmuvek.hu/hu/kezdolap/ugyintezes
The Georgikon Campus receives water services from the Transdanubian Regional Waterworks Ltd. (DRV Zrt.).
On the Kaposvár Campus, water and wastewater services are ensured by Kaposvár Water and Sewerworks Ltd. (Kavíz Kft.).
In Karcag, the Tiszamenti Regional Waterworks Ltd. (TRV Zrt.) is responsible for service provision.
Gyöngyös is served by the Heves County Waterworks Ltd.
1.3. Environmental and social awareness
MATE not only fosters a university-wide culture of sustainability and global responsibility but also actively promotes social awareness, integrating societal challenges and community engagement.
Social scholarships
MATE offers social-based scholarships which support students with social needs. You can find the details in the following document (in Hungarian): Organisational and Operational Rules of the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences – volume III: Student Requirements System - III.2. Student Allowances and Reimbursements (last modified: July 1, 2025), page 32:
University trainings, courses and colleges
MATE is committed to providing meaningful education across all levels of study, ensuring relevance and real-world applicability for every student. In addition to its main campuses, the university operates several training sites. Through degree programmes, specialised training, adult education, and flexible part-time or distance-learning options,
For information about university specialised trainings, visit the following links:
https://uni-mate.hu/k%C3%A9pz%C3%A9sek
https://oig.uni-mate.hu/en/szakiranyu-tovabbkepzesek
https://uni-mate.hu/feln%C5%91ttk%C3%A9pz%C3%A9s
MATE’s scientific colleges provide an intellectually stimulating environment where students can engage in advanced academic and research activities across disciplines such as agriculture, environmental sciences, and food systems. These colleges play a key role in fostering awareness of the SDGs by integrating sustainability, social responsibility, and global challenges into seminars, workshops, and student-led projects. Through mentoring, collaborative research, and interdisciplinary initiatives, the colleges cultivate critical thinking and empower students to apply scientific knowledge in socially and environmentally responsible ways.
https://kollegiumok.uni-mate.hu/
Arborets and botanical gardens
MATE’s arborets and botanical gardens serve as key hubs for practical education, research, and community engagement. They provide hands-on training for students in botany, horticulture, landscape architecture, forestry, and environmental sciences, while supporting biodiversity conservation and sustainable landscape practices. Beyond their academic role, these green spaces promote environmental awareness through guided visits, public programmes, and sustainability-focused events. They regularly host community gatherings, exhibitions, and eco-friendly fairs, offering opportunities for recreation, outdoor learning, and inspiration. These gardens are also important elements of raising social sensitivity to sustainability.
Charitable activities at MATE
MATE places a strong emphasis on charitable activities, actively supporting initiatives that provide assistance to those in need.
In May 2024, MATE donated 10 500 vegetable seedlings—tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, zucchini, and celery—to families in need across 11 dioceses through the Catholic Charity. Cultivated with care by experts and horticulture students at the Budatétény Rose Garden, this initiative promotes healthy eating, eases financial burdens, and strengthens community ties. More than 600 families now have the chance to grow fresh produce and nurture self-sufficiency.
https://tajepiteszet.uni-mate.hu/karitat%C3%ADv-pal%C3%A1nta-adom%C3%A1nyoz%C3%A1s-2024
In December 2024, MATE contributed HUF 1.5 million worth of long‐lasting food items to the Ecumenical Relief Organization’s Advent donation drive, helping families in crisis. The donation, personally handed over by Rector Prof. Dr. Csaba Gyuricza, included shelf-stable foods such as canned meats, pasta, oil, rice, baby food, jam, and other staples to make daily life a little easier during the holiday season. The Rector emphasized that the effort reflects MATE’s commitment to humanitarian work, which aligns with its core mission of food production—from field to table—and its educational and research activities in agriculture and food sciences.
https://magyarmezogazdasag.hu/2024/12/11/15-millios-adomannyal-segiti-a-raszorulokat-a-mate/
2. WASTE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
MATE is deeply committed to responsible waste disposal and recycling practices, ensuring that all activities align with national environmental regulations and recognised best practices. The university follows structured procedures to minimise waste generation, promote selective collection, and support the reuse and recycling of materials across its campuses. These efforts form part of a broader commitment to safeguarding environmental quality, reducing ecological impact, and fostering a culture of sustainability within the university community.
2.1. Waste water treatment
With its diverse campuses, research sites, and training facilities spread across the country, MATE relies on multiple regional water utility providers. Both drinking water supply and wastewater management are handled by different service companies, depending on the specific location of each university unit.
MATE’s extensive network of campuses and facilities is served by several regional water utility providers, each responsible for managing wastewater in their respective areas.
Gödöllő and its surroundings are served by DMRV Zrt.
https://www.dmrvzrt.hu/hu/Fooldal
At the Buda Campus, services are provided by Budapest Waterworks and Budapest Sewage Works Zrt.
https://www.vizmuvek.hu/hu/kezdolap/ugyintezes
The Georgikon Campus receives water services from the Transdanubian Regional Waterworks Ltd. (DRV Zrt.).
On the Kaposvár Campus, water and wastewater services are ensured by Kaposvár Water and Sewerworks Ltd. (Kavíz Kft.).
In Karcag, the Tiszamenti Regional Waterworks Ltd. (TRV Zrt.) is responsible for service provision.
Gyöngyös is served by the Heves County Waterworks Ltd.
Public sewerage, like the provision of drinking water, is a public utility service. From an environmental perspective, MATE prioritizes the protection of surface water, groundwater, and soil, ensuring the quality and usability of water resources while promoting their sustainable and responsible management. Read more about wastewater treatment here:
https://en.uni-mate.hu/sdg-6-clean-water-and-sanitation-1-2-wastewater-treatment
MATE considers it crucial to prevent any polluted water from entering the water system, including contamination resulting from accidents or incidents on campus. The university works with specialized laboratories for the regular disposal of hazardous waste. Additionally, strict chemical handling rules prohibit pouring any chemicals into taps, while all other types of contaminated water are directed regional waterwork. Read more about the treatment of polluted water here:
2.2. Practice on waste disposal
The Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences (MATE) applies a comprehensive waste management system across its campuses, fully aligned with national legislation, including the 2012 Waste Act (CLXXXV). Residual waste that cannot be reused or recycled is sent to authorized landfill sites, with careful documentation and monitoring to ensure environmental compliance and minimize impact.
https://net.jogtar.hu/jogszabaly?docid=a1200185.tv
MATE actively promotes reuse and recycling through a selective collection system. Across its campuses, containers are provided for paper, plastics, metals, glass, and organic waste. These materials are collected regularly and transported by licensed waste management facilities to appropriate recycling plants, ensuring that valuable resources are recovered and returned to the production cycle. Internal programs also encourage the reuse of office supplies, furniture, and packaging materials, reducing landfill dependency.
To manage the collection, transportation, and processing of waste efficiently, MATE contracts professional waste management companies. These partners are responsible for the scheduled pick-up of sorted materials and their delivery to certified recycling or treatment facilities, in accordance with national standards. This outsourcing allows the university to operational efficiency while guaranteeing environmental compliance. Outsourcing is used to access specialized expertise, reduce operational burden, and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, while maintaining accountability and oversight from the university.
Contracts with external service providers are carefully structured to define responsibilities, performance expectations, and reporting obligations. This ensures that the university retains control over quality, safety, and compliance with laws and internal policies, while benefiting from the efficiency and expertise of contractors. The Rector’s Instruction No. 9/2024 (IV. 08.) on the Procurement and Public Procurement Regulations outlines the criteria related to the acquisition of services.
Through these measures—including proper landfill use, selective waste collection, recycling, and reuse programs, supported by professional service providers—MATE fosters sustainable campus operations and raises awareness of responsible resource use among students, staff, and the broader university community. MATE has numerous research centres and projects that focus on issues related to waste utilization. You can find more information about valorisation on the following sites:
https://en.uni-mate.hu/sdg-2-zero-hunger-1-campus-food
https://en.uni-mate.hu/en/sdg-2-zero-hunger-1.2.-valorisation-of-production-wastes
2.3. Minimisation of plastic usage
The university implements a structured waste separation system on all its campuses, reflecting the mandates of Hungary's environmental legislation. This system includes specific collection and sorting of plastic waste types like PET, PP, and PE, ensuring efficient recycling processes are in place. Laboratory-generated plastic waste, due to its hazardous nature, is handled with strict protocols, in accordance with Act CLXXXV of 2012 on waste and Decree No. 442 of 2012. These measures align with Hungary’s broader circular economy goals and upcoming regulatory updates, including a mandatory bottle return system slated for 2024. Through these actions, MATE not only upholds national policy but also exemplifies sustainable waste management practices across campuses.
Relating to plastic waste reduction, the REPurpose project aims to upcycle local post-consumer plastic waste into high-value, multifunctional thermoplastic elastomers using a Safe- and Sustainable-by-Design (SSbD) approach. By combining enzymatic recycling with bio-based building blocks, the team is developing polymers that are endlessly recyclable, controllably degradable, and free from toxic additives. The project integrates a full value chain—from waste handlers and recyclers to technology developers and end users—in sectors such as consumer goods, construction, and automotive. As a Horizon Europe initiative, it promotes circular economy principles and innovation in sustainable materials. MATE’s Institute of Aquaculture and Environmental Safety contributes by conducting complex ecotoxicological assessments of the new materials.
https://akvakultura.uni-mate.hu/repurpose
https://www.repurposeproject.eu/
2.4. Minimisation of disposable items
The 301/2021 (VI. 1.) Government Decree sets out comprehensive rules on reducing single-use plastic products and promoting sustainable consumption across institutions and businesses in Hungary. For universities like MATE, this regulation provides a framework to minimize environmental impact by restricting the use of disposable plastic items in campus facilities, cafeterias, and research settings, while encouraging alternatives that are reusable, recyclable, or biodegradable.
At MATE, compliance with this decree is integrated into waste management and sustainability practices. The university actively implements measures such as replacing single-use cutlery, plates, and cups with sustainable alternatives, promoting refillable water stations, and providing educational initiatives to raise awareness among students and staff about responsible consumption and the circular use of resources. These actions are aligned with the national objectives of reducing plastic waste and fostering a culture of sustainability.
Beyond regulatory compliance, the decree supports MATE’s broader environmental strategy, linking policy requirements to practical campus operations, research, and teaching activities. By embedding these principles in daily routines and academic programs, the university not only meets legal obligations but also reinforces its commitment to sustainable development, environmental stewardship, and student engagement in circular economy practices.
https://net.jogtar.hu/jogszabaly?docid=a2100301.kor
2.5. Practice on the disposal of hazardous materials
MATE ensures full compliance with Government Decree 164/2003 (X.18) by managing all hazardous waste in accordance with the regulation’s strict requirements for documentation, storage, and disposal. The university cooperates exclusively with licensed and authorized hazardous-waste management partners, ensuring that chemicals, laboratory residues, contaminated packaging, and other regulated materials are collected, transported, and disposed of safely and legally.
In line with the decree, MATE maintains detailed waste records, including waste codes, quantities, storage locations, and handover documentation. All data are reported through the national environmental information and reporting system (OKIR) as required by law. Hazardous waste is stored in designated, compliant facilities with secondary containment, clear labelling, and strict access control.
The university applies internal procedures for the storage and use of chemicals in teaching and research laboratories, including segregation of incompatible substances, and spill-prevention measures. Typically institutional-level monitoring system and scheduled internal controls ensure ongoing adherence to regulatory requirements. MATE also provides training for academic, laboratory, and technical staff on safe chemical handling, waste segregation, and emergency response. Collaboration with certified waste-treatment companies and the use of established service contracts guarantee that hazardous waste is handled exclusively through approved channels.
In accordance with the government decree, MATE pays all applicable charges, reinforcing its commitment to legal compliance and environmentally responsible hazardous-waste management across the university’s operations.