“It is time to realize that waste is not to stay in the landfills. This is a resource that should continue its cycle - to be utilized and recycled,” said Deputy Minister Reneta Koleva during the Forum “Green Solutions for Municipalities” within the framework of the annual meeting of local authorities, organized by the National Association of Municipalities in the Republic of Bulgaria (NAMRB).

She reminded that through information campaigns with messages and effective incentives all users can be addressed to encourage them and achieve better results.

“The new Program Environment 2021-2027 promotes the transition to a circular economy based on the efficient use of resources. According to the ‘Waste’ priority, 611.49 million BGN will be invested in systems for the separate collection and recycling of biodegradable waste, in models for optimizing the household waste management process, and in reclamation of landfills,” announced Reneta Koleva. She explained that more than 337 million BGN have been allocated to measures to build or expand systems for separate collection and recycling of biodegradable waste in municipalities. Funding is also planned for systems, centers for separate collection and preparation for reuse. “This measure is obviously producing results in a number of EU countries, and we would be happy to see it welcomed by the local authorities in our country as well,” said the Deputy Minister. 

Reneta Koleva informed that the MOEW, through the Enterprise for the Management of Environmental Protection Activities, will fund the construction of installations for the production of biogas from biodegradable household waste. According to her, under the conditions of the energy crisis, this is a tool that can significantly optimize the costs for municipalities. Local authorities will be able to apply for purchasing composters to provide free of charge to households to reduce waste generation at source.

“The introduction of a deposit system for packaging is a priority for the MOEW, whereby a broad consensus has been reached,” noted Deputy Minister Koleva. The experience of other EU countries, which have successfully introduced such systems will be used.

She added that the draft of the Strategy and Action Plan for the Transition to a Circular Economy of the Republic of Bulgaria for the period 2022-2027 has been submitted to the Ministry of Finance. The strategy aims at the evaluation and introduction of incentives for the more efficient use of natural resources, support for enterprises in sharing the costs of switching to new models and eco-design of products, as well as at analyzing the possibilities for increasing the requirements for mandatory content of recycled materials in certain product groups.

Deputy Minister Koleva noted that achieving the goals for reducing the amount of landfilled household waste to 10% and increasing the amount of recycled waste to more than 65% by 2035 requires a fundamental change in our thinking and behavior, which should take place in parallel to the change in national legislation. “It is important to look for economic aspects, socio-ecological efficiency and through dialogue to help solve all problems related to the environment, because environmental goals are not municipal, but national. They are our responsibility as citizens of this planet - to preserve, protect and give future generations better living conditions and standards,” Koleva said.