An audit conducted by the Bulgarian National Audit Office (BNAO) regarding hazardous waste management between 2021 and 2024 revealed significant deficiencies in the country’s infrastructure and regulatory framework. The report identified five regions—Blagoevgrad, Vidin, Gabrovo, Sliven, and Smolyan—that lack dedicated facilities for treating hazardous waste originating from households, industry, and healthcare sectors. The audit, which examined the Ministry of Environment and Water, noted that while the volume of hazardous waste increased from 13.7 tonnes in 2021 to nearly 16 tonnes in 2023, the systemic issues persist.
Furthermore, data cited in the report indicates that Bulgaria generates 2,246 kg of hazardous waste per capita in 2022, substantially exceeding the EU average of 266 kg. The BNAO’s audit also highlighted ongoing compliance issues, referencing nine infringement procedures initiated by the European Commission concerning waste directives. Systemic weaknesses were pointed out, including the absence of a parliamentary-approved national environmental strategy and inadequacies in the National Waste Management Plan regarding industrial hazardous waste.
At the local level, the audit found that 42% of municipal violations related to illegal dumping sites, and nearly 29% of large municipalities lacked designated collection points for household hazardous waste. The BNAO issued seven recommendations to the Environment and Water Minister, setting a deadline for implementation by March 1, 2027. The report underscores that current measures do not guarantee effective containment of associated environmental and health risks.
Topics: #hazardous #waste #audit
