A recent audit by the Bulgarian National Audit Office (BNAO) covering the 2021–2024 period revealed significant deficiencies in the management of hazardous waste across Bulgaria. The report identified five regions—Blagoevgrad, Vidin, Gabrovo, Sliven, and Smolyan—that currently lack adequate facilities for treating hazardous waste generated by residential, industrial, and healthcare sources. The BNAO’s audit, which focused on the Ministry of Environment and Water, noted that while the volume of such waste increased from 13.7 tonnes in 2021 to nearly 16 tonnes in 2023, the country’s per capita generation rate of 2,246 kg for 2022 significantly exceeds the EU average of 266 kg.
Systemic weaknesses were also highlighted. The audit report points to the absence of a parliamentary-approved national environmental strategy and notes that the existing National Waste Management Plan does not sufficiently address industrial sources of hazardous waste. Furthermore, local enforcement is weak, with 42% of recorded violations by mayors relating to illegal dumping sites, and nearly 29% of larger municipalities failing to provide designated collection points for household waste.
The BNAO concluded that progress in managing hazardous waste remains limited. Internationally, the report references nine infringement procedures initiated by the European Commission regarding waste management directives
Topics: #hazardous #waste #audit
