A recent audit conducted by the Bulgarian National Audit Office (BNAO) concerning waste management between 2021 and 2024 revealed significant deficiencies in Bulgaria’s handling of hazardous waste. The report identified five regions—Blagoevgrad, Vidin, Gabrovo, Sliven, and Smolyan—that currently lack necessary disposal facilities for hazardous materials originating from households, industry, and healthcare. The BNAO’s audit highlighted that while hazardous waste volumes increased from 13.7 tonnes in 2021 to nearly 16 tonnes in 2023, the country’s generation rate remains high.
According to 2022 Eurostat data cited in the report, Bulgaria generated 2,246 kg of hazardous waste per capita, substantially exceeding the EU average of 266 kg. Furthermore, the audit noted that the Ministry of Environment and Water faces systemic challenges, including the absence of a parliamentary-approved national environmental strategy. The findings also pointed to local enforcement issues, noting that 42% of violations by mayors relate to illegal dumping sites, and nearly 29% of municipalities
Topics: #hazardous #waste #audit
