As a Member State of the European Union (EU), the Republic of Bulgaria is obliged to ensure the implementation of the requirements of European legislation in the field of waste management, in particular Regulation (EU) 2025/40 on packaging and packaging waste. At present, current national legislation lacks a legally established mechanism for the introduction and operation of a national deposit system for beverage packaging. At the same time, the existing separate collection systems do not ensure the necessary collection rates for such packaging, which creates a risk of non-compliance with EU legal requirements. Furthermore, under European Union law, requirements have been introduced for a gradual increase in the proportion of recycled material used in the production of new beverage bottles, which implies ensuring sufficient quantities of high-quality recycled material.

The draft law establishes a framework for the introduction and operation of a national deposit system for beverage packaging. The proposed amendments regulate the establishment and operation of the system, the role and functions of the national deposit operator, the rights and obligations for participants, the conditions for charging and refunding deposits, as well as the mechanisms for reporting, control, and traceability. Conditions are created for achieving high levels of separate collection of beverage packaging through a mechanism that is simple and accessible to citizens, as well as for ensuring high-quality recyclable material.

The adoption of the draft law will ensure that national legislation complies with the requirements of EU law, by establishing an effective and traceable system for the management of beverage packaging. It is expected to increase separate collection rates, reduce the amount of waste entering the environment, and create conditions for the development of the recycling industry by ensuring a stable and predictable flow of high-quality recyclable material.

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