FM newsroom – sustainability. While many businesses have begun adopting circular economy practices, few have embedded them into long-term corporate strategy. New research suggests companies are still focusing on isolated projects rather than true business transformation.
Progress Made, But Strategy Still Missing
Hungarian companies are gradually moving towards more sustainable and circular operations, yet the strategic foundations needed for meaningful change remain largely absent. This is one of the key conclusions from a recent survey conducted by the Business Council for Sustainable Development in Hungary (BCSDH), which published its findings through the Hungarian news agency MTI.
The organisation surveyed around 150 member companies, with 80 businesses completing the questionnaire by the end of last year.
The results show that 75 per cent of respondents have already introduced some form of circular economy initiative. However, most of these actions remain fragmented and project-based, rather than forming part of a wider corporate strategy. In fact, only 21 per cent of companies said they have a comprehensive circular economy strategy in place, FMbusiness reports.
Quick Wins Dominate
Many businesses continue to prioritise easier, short-term measures that deliver fast results. Waste management remains the most common focus area, with 59 per cent of respondents setting goals in this field. Meanwhile, 49 per cent are concentrating on the sustainable sourcing of renewable resources.
This operational approach alone will not deliver a truly sustainable economy. According to Irén Márta, Managing Director of BCSDH, many companies still view circularity as a series of projects, rather than a business model shift embedded across corporate strategy and the full value chain.
A Turning Point for Facility Management
For the facility management sector, the findings highlight both a challenge and an opportunity. While operational improvements such as waste reduction and resource efficiency remain essential, long-term success will depend on integrating circular principles into procurement, asset management, building operations and supplier relationships.
Without that broader transformation, the circular economy risks remaining more ambition than reality.