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MMSZ collects the camping equipment discarded at the Sziget Festival
This year, for the seventh time, the Hungarian Charity Service of the Order of Malta partnered with the Sziget Festival to reduce the event's ecological footprint. All week long, those leaving could drop off their excess tents, mattresses, sleeping bags, blankets, pillows and other camping equipment at the MMSZ Donation Point, and after the event closed, 120 volunteers from the Charity Service combed the site to collect any discarded items still in good condition.
At the end of the operation, a total of 300 tents, 300 mattresses, 170 polyfoams, 180 sleeping bags, 280 blankets, 320 pillows, 240 towels, 400 camping chairs, 15 tables and 30 tarpaulins had been collected and transported from the site by the charity's 7.5-tonne truck and eight box vans. These items will be of great use in children's camps, and a treasure trove for the homeless, for whom blankets and sleeping bags can be lifesavers in winter.
"Every year, the number of objects that we can reuse grows," said Tamás Szentkereszty, head of the Charity Service, coordinator of the action. "For a few years now, we have also been collecting discarded reusable plastic cups. We can use them instead of disposable cups in the Integrated Homeless Care Centre in Miklós Street, where we have managed to obtain an industrial dishwasher."
In addition to the usable equipment, volunteers have also collected around 150 damaged and torn tents and mattresses. These will be upcycled by another partner into backpacks and belt pouches, which will be available for purchase in the festival's gift shop next year.
By collecting the camping equipment left behind, the Charity Service is not only helping those in need, but also supporting the Sziget Festival organisers in their transition to a circular economy.
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