A recent audit report by the Bulgarian National Audit Office (BNAO) concerning hazardous waste management in Bulgaria, covering the period from 2021 to 2024, identified significant deficiencies in the country’s waste infrastructure. The report revealed that five regions—Blagoevgrad, Vidin, Gabrovo, Sliven, and Smolyan—lack proper facilities for the disposal of hazardous waste generated by households, industry, and healthcare sectors. The audit, focused on the Ministry of Environment and Water, noted that while hazardous waste volumes increased from 13.7 tonnes in 2021 to nearly 16 tonnes in 2023, Bulgaria generates a high per capita amount of this waste, according to Eurostat data for 2022.
The report contrasted this with the EU average, placing Bulgaria second in the bloc for generation rates. Systemic weaknesses were also highlighted, including the absence of a parliamentary-approved national environmental strategy and insufficient focus on industrial hazardous waste within the National Waste Management Plan 2021-2028. Furthermore, the audit found that 42% of municipal violations related to illegal dumping sites, and nearly 29% of larger municipalities lacked designated collection points for household hazardous waste.
The BNAO pointed to ongoing compliance issues, referencing nine infringement procedures initiated by the European Commission regarding waste directives. The report concludes that progress in managing hazardous waste remains limited, posing continued environmental and public health risks. The BNAO submitted seven recommendations to the Minister of Environment and Water, setting a deadline for implementation by March 1, 2027.
Topics: #hazardous #waste #audit
