PET Cup river cleanup sets new record with 18.9 tons of waste collected

Participants in the combined VII. Bodrog and XIV. Tisza PET Cup collected a record 18.9 tons of waste from the riverbeds between August 15 and 23. The cleanup took place along the stretch between Olaszliszka and Tiszalök.

Despite the record-breaking amount, which surpassed the previous 17.5-ton record set in 2024, organizers noted that the volume of waste in the floodplains remains a significant issue. In the Bodrog section (Olaszliszka-Szegi-Bodrogkeresztúr-Tokaj), 9.9 tons were collected over three days, while an additional 9 tons were recovered from the Tisza river sections.

Organizers highlighted that much of the waste found in the floodplain forests has been accumulating for decades. The event featured the debut of the PETiX, a new waste collection boat, and a four-person canoe constructed from recycled plastic collected during previous competitions.