An audit report released by the Bulgarian National Audit Office (BNAO) covering the 2021-2024 period revealed significant deficiencies in the management of hazardous waste across Bulgaria. The audit identified five regions—Blagoevgrad, Vidin, Gabrovo, Sliven, and Smolyan—that currently lack adequate disposal facilities for hazardous waste generated by households, industry, and healthcare sectors. The BNAO’s review, which focused on the Ministry of Environment and Water, noted that while waste volumes increased from 13.7 tonnes in 2021 to nearly 16 tonnes in 2023, Bulgaria’s per capita generation of hazardous waste in 2022 was 2,246 kg, substantially exceeding the EU average of 266 kg.
Furthermore, the report highlighted that progress in waste management remains limited, pointing to the absence of a parliamentary-approved national environmental strategy. The audit also documented regulatory issues, noting that 42% of violations recorded by mayors involved illegal dumping sites. At the municipal level, nearly 29% of towns with populations over 10,000 have not provided designated collection points for household hazardous waste.
Moreover, the country saw a 41% increase in the import of hazardous waste for recovery between 2021 and 2024. The report details that the European Commission
Topics: #hazardous #waste #audit
