An audit conducted by the Bulgarian National Audit Office (BNAO) covering 2021–2024 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 treatment facilities for hazardous waste generated by households, industry, and healthcare. The audit, which reviewed 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, the country’s per capita generation rate in 2022 was 2,246 kg, substantially higher than the EU average of 266 kg.
Beyond infrastructure deficits, the BNAO highlighted systemic policy weaknesses. The report noted the absence of a parliamentary-approved national environmental strategy and pointed out that the National Waste Management Plan 2021-2028 insufficiently addresses industrial sources of hazardous materials. Furthermore, the audit observed that 42% of violations cited by mayors related to illegal dumping sites, and nearly 29% of large municipalities lacked designated collection points for household hazardous waste.
The audit also referenced past European Commission infringement procedures related to waste directives. The BNAO concluded that overall progress in managing this waste stream remains limited. To address these concerns, the Office issued seven recommendations to the Minister of Environment and Water, setting a deadline for implementation
Topics: #hazardous #waste #audit
