Over 1400 metric tons of waste were collected and transported to regional landfills during this year’s bTV campaign “Let’s Clean Up Bulgaria Together.” Nearly 18 000 volunteers took part in the initiative, cleaning up 1500 locations across the country. These figures are based on summary data from the Regional Inspectorates for Environment and Water (RIEW), which collected and processed the information on the campaign’s results.

Thousands of citizens from various towns and villages across the country actively participated in the cleanup. Among them were employees of the Ministry of Environment and Water (MOEW).

The largest amount of waste was collected on the territory of the Plovdiv RIEW—nearly 277 metric tons; followed by the Burgas RIEW with over 222 metric tons; and the Blagoevgrad RIEW – with over 138 metric tons.

Data from the other regional inspectorates show the following: the Stara Zagora Regional Inspectorate - nearly 115 metric tons; the Varna Regional Inspectorate - over 100 metric tons; the Pazardzhik RIEW - nearly 100 metric tons; Sofia Regional Inspectorate of Environment and Water – nearly 92 metric tons, RIEW Ruse – over 72 metric tons, RIEW Smolyan – nearly 72 metric tons, RIEW Montana – nearly 56 metric tons, Haskovo RIEW – over 41 metric tons, Shumen RIEW – over 33 metric tons, Veliko Tarnovo RIEW – nearly 27 metric tons, Vratsa RIEW – nearly 24 metric tons, and Pleven RIEW – over 12 metric tons.

The largest number of participants took part in the Ruse RIEW area - 3699 people; followed by the Stara Zagora RIEW - 2140 people, and the Smolyan RIEW - 1792 people.

With financial support from the Enterprise for the Management of Environmental Protection Activities (EMEPA), waste collection bags were provided. The bags came in three colors- yellow, green, and black - for separate waste collection: yellow for paper, plastic, and metal; green for glass; and black for other types of household waste. This year as well, the Ministry of Environment and Water (MOEW) assisted the municipalities in being exempted from the required fees and security deposits for the quantities of waste deposited at landfills that were collected during the campaign.

The campaign once again demonstrated that when institutions, local authorities, businesses, and citizens work together, the results are visible and contribute to a cleaner and better environment.