Minister of Environment and Water Rositsa Karamfilova and the regional governor of Lovech Plamen Hristov discussed urgent measures at a working meeting regarding the technical condition and operation of the Regional Landfill for Non-Hazardous Waste for the Lovech region.

As a result of an inspection conducted by the Regional Inspectorate for Environment and Water in Pleven, it was established that the landfill is being operated under conditions that do not comply with regulatory requirements. Repeated leachate spills were observed, the permitted operational capacity of Cell No. 3 has been reached, and there are circumstances that pose a potential risk to the environment.

Since 2023 multiple meetings have been held between the Regional Inspectorate of Environment and Water - Pleven and the landfill operator - the Municipality of Lovech, regarding the need to take urgent measures to construct Cell No. 2, a waste sorting facility, and other necessary infrastructure. During this period and up to the present moment, 17 inspections have been carried out, during which a total of 44 mandatory orders were issued to the Municipality of Lovech to take action on the identified violations and bring operations into compliance with applicable environmental legislation.

Despite the enforcement actions taken and the repeated instructions issued, no steps have been taken to comply with the issued orders, nor to amend the integrated permit in a timely manner in order to increase the permitted amount of waste for landfilling. This currently creates conditions for the suspension of operations at Cell No. 3.

During the meeting, possible solutions were discussed to ensure the continuity of municipal solid waste management in the affected municipalities while complying with environmental requirements.

Until the problem is resolved, the issue will remain a priority for the Ministry of Environment and Water, requiring monitoring of the implementation of the necessary measures. The upcoming actions will be carried out in phases and in close coordination with all relevant institutions.