There is something special about a community coming together for a shared purpose. When people from diverse backgrounds set aside their everyday routines for a day to take tangible action for the environment.
| WRITER: Alternate
This year, the SOS Tisza-tó cleanup initiative was once again successfully carried out, bringing together nearly 500 volunteers to relieve the so-called “Waste Island” on the lake of its burden. Today, the one-and-a-half-kilometer long island presents a completely different picture: the restored area can breathe again, and nature can reclaim the landscape.
The event took place on March 21–22, organized by Ljasuk Dimitry, who has been working for years to protect the biodiversity of Lake Tisza.
For the past three years, Alternate has supported the initiative through both financial contributions and volunteer work. We not only assisted with the event but also actively participated in the hands-on “dirty work” of the cleanup. It was particularly inspiring to witness the diversity of participants: young and old, families and groups of friends, corporate teams and individual volunteers alike. This clearly demonstrates that environmental protection is a shared responsibility.
One of the most important messages of the initiative is that every contribution matters. An individual may “only” collect a few bags of waste in a day, but when many people act together, it results in a real, measurable impact. The power of collective action can drive visible and lasting change.
And this is clearly reflected in the results:
- 2,906 kg of municipal waste
- 1,878 kg of glass
- 840 kg of PET bottles and small metal waste
- 125 kg of HDPE and PP plastic waste
- 280 kg of bulky waste
- 480 liters of hazardous liquid waste
- 240 kg of hazardous solid waste
- 230 kg of selected mixed waste for exhibition purposes
In total: 6,979 kg of waste removed
This is not just a number, it represents a restored habitat and a reclaimed natural environment.
We would like to thank all participants for their dedicated efforts and congratulate them on this remarkable achievement!
“Today, initiatives like this – positive, action-oriented, and built on collaboration with real impact – are more important than ever, especially as sustainability and ESG are often reduced to reporting and regulatory compliance. The significance of the SOS Tisza-tó initiative lies in the fact that people reconnect with nature, reconnect with each other, and experience the power of cooperation. This leaves participants with a sense of gratitude, fulfillment, and pride, which further creates action.” – Mandy Fertetics
Days like this remind us that nature has the capacity to regenerate, if we give it the chance. And that this chance ultimately depends on us.
