In Bulgaria we are in the middle of implementing REDUCES Phase 2. The period is marked with efforts to build upon the results achieved in implementation of the Action plan so far. The RE - reuse repair center in Smaydovo Municipality is running at a full speed. The plans and equipment for the demonstration project are approved by the respective authorities and the center is in a process of construction.
Main focus of the Action plan in Bulgaria is effective and engaging communication campaign to enable RE centers to function properly. The communication plan developed aims at simple and illustrative communication with the business, citizens, households, and schools to guarantee prevention of the generation of waste and separate collection of waste so that to secure possibilities for further reuse and recycling.
As part of the communication campaign implementation two workshops in July and in December, 2022 have been organized with active participation of municipal environmental experts of more than 40 Bulgarian municipalities and Ministry of Environment to share good solutions in separate collection of different waste streams. All participants agreed that waste reduction and even better prevention, eco-design, reuse repair and similar measures can save money for the municipal budget and have environmental, economical and social effect for the local communities.
Project "REDUCES" and the work on the implementation of the Action plan in Phase 2 were presented during International Conference in October hosted by UMG in section 3: "Sustainable development of the mineral and raw materials industry". Participants in the Conference were PHD students, scientists and proffesors and companies from the mineral industry.
Organisation of National event on Waste management is one of the activities in the Action plan which took place in July, 2022. The Bulgarian team was coorganiser of the event attended by more than 50 participants including Ministry of Environment, Waste Directorate, Managing Authority OP Environment, Municipalities from all over Bulgaria. The focus of the event was “How to achieve the new targets in municipal waste management and Household waste fee according to quantity - how and when?”. It was organised in two sessions. The format of the event included presentations from Bulgarian and foreign experts and group discussions among the participants. Important conclusion is that it is very urgent the municipalities to introduce pay as you throw waste fee instead of applied property based one.
Vessela Petrova
University of Mining and Geology "St. Ivan Rilski"
Vihra Andonova
Euro Perspectives Foundation
