The Bulgarian National Audit Office (BNAO) released an audit report covering 2021–2024, revealing significant deficiencies in the management of hazardous waste across the country. The audit identified five regions—Blagoevgrad, Vidin, Gabrovo, Sliven, and Smolyan—that currently lack necessary treatment facilities for hazardous waste originating from household, industrial, and healthcare sources. The report noted an increase in waste volumes, with hazardous waste rising from 13.7 tonnes in 2021 to nearly 16 tonnes in 2023.
Furthermore, comparative data from Eurostat for 2022 indicated that Bulgaria generates 2,246 kg of hazardous waste per capita, substantially exceeding the EU average of 266 kg. Beyond infrastructure gaps, the audit highlighted systemic weaknesses. It pointed to the absence of a parliamentary-approved national environmental strategy and noted that the National Waste Management Plan insufficiently addresses industrial sources of such materials.
Local governance issues were also prominent, with many mayors cited for illegal dumping sites, and nearly 29% of large municipalities failing to provide designated collection points for household hazardous waste. The BNAO also documented a 41% increase in the import of hazardous waste for recovery in 2024 compared to 2021. The audit, which examined the Ministry of Environment and Water, concluded that progress in waste management remains limited.
In response, the BNAO issued seven recommendations to the Minister, setting a compliance deadline of March 1, 2027. The findings have been submitted to the European Commission and INTOSAI.
Topics: #hazardous #waste #audit
It is deeply concerning that five regions still lack adequate hazardous waste disposal facilities.
What measures are being planned or implemented to establish the necessary hazardous waste disposal facilities in these regions?