An audit report released by the Bulgarian National Audit Office (BNAO) concerning hazardous waste management in Bulgaria between 2021 and 2024 revealed significant deficiencies in the country’s waste infrastructure. The audit identified five regions—Blagoevgrad, Vidin, Gabrovo, Sliven, and Smolyan—that lack proper disposal facilities for hazardous waste originating from households, industry, and healthcare. The report, titled “Hazardous Waste Management in Bulgaria: January 2021 – December 2024,” focused on the Ministry of Environment and Water.
While mining and radioactive waste were excluded, the audit noted an increase in hazardous waste volume, rising from 13.7 tonnes in 2021 to nearly 16 tonnes in 2023. Furthermore, Eurostat data cited in the audit indicated that Bulgaria generates 2,246 kg of hazardous waste per capita in 2022, substantially higher than the EU average. The audit highlighted systemic weaknesses, including the absence of a parliamentary-approved national environmental strategy and shortcomings in the National Waste Management Plan regarding industrial hazardous waste.
Specific local issues noted include 42% of mayoral violations relating to illegal dumping sites and nearly 29% of larger municipalities lacking designated collection points for household hazardous waste. In addition to these domestic findings, the BNAO report noted that the European Commission has launched nine infringement procedures against Bulgaria related to waste directives. The auditors concluded that overall progress in hazardous waste management remains limited.
The BNAO issued seven recommendations to the Environment and Water Minister, with a stipulated implementation deadline of March 1, 2027.
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