A recent audit by the Bulgarian National Audit Office (BNAO) concerning hazardous waste management between 2021 and 2024 revealed significant deficiencies in Bulgaria’s environmental infrastructure. The report highlights that five specific regions—Blagoevgrad, Vidin, Gabrovo, Sliven, and Smolyan—currently lack adequate facilities for the disposal of hazardous waste generated by households, industry, and healthcare sectors. The audit noted an increase in hazardous waste volume, rising from 13.7 tonnes in 2021 to nearly 16 tonnes in 2023.
Furthermore, the report contrasts Bulgaria’s per capita generation rate of 2,246 kg of hazardous waste with the EU average of 266 kg, positioning the country second in the EU for this metric. Beyond volume concerns, the audit identified systemic weaknesses. It points to the absence of a parliamentary-approved national environmental strategy and notes that the National Waste Management Plan 2021-2028 does not sufficiently address industrial hazardous waste, identified as a primary source.
Municipal non-compliance was also documented, with many local authorities failing to establish designated collection points for household hazardous waste and neglecting to clear illegal dumping sites. The BNAO’s findings underscore limited progress in managing these risks. The audit also references nine infringement procedures previously initiated by the European Commission related to waste management directives.
Consequently, the BNAO issued seven recommendations to the Ministry of Environment and Water, setting a deadline for implementation by March 1, 2027, to improve the national framework for hazardous waste handling.
Topics: #hazardous #waste #audit
