An audit report released by the Bulgarian National Audit Office (BNAO) concerning the period 2021–2024 reveals significant deficiencies in the management of hazardous waste across Bulgaria. The audit identified five regions—Blagoevgrad, Vidin, Gabrovo, Sliven, and Smolyan—that lack adequate disposal facilities for hazardous waste originating from households, industry, and healthcare. The report, titled “Hazardous Waste Management in Bulgaria: January 2021 – December 2024,” notes that while the volume of such waste increased from 13.7 tonnes in 2021 to nearly 16 tonnes in 2023, Bulgaria’s per capita generation rate of 2,246 kg of hazardous waste (according to 2022 Eurostat data) is substantially higher than the EU average of 266 kg.
Systemic weaknesses were also highlighted. The auditors pointed to the absence of a parliamentary-approved national environmental strategy and noted that the National Waste Management Plan 2021-2028 insufficiently addresses industrial sources. Furthermore, the audit found that 42% of municipal violations related to illegal dumping sites, and nearly 29% of larger municipalities lacked designated collection points for household hazardous waste.
The BNAO also documented nine infringement procedures initiated by the European Commission regarding waste directives, relating to issues like the polluter pays principle. The report concludes that progress in managing this waste stream remains limited. BNAO has issued seven recommendations to the Ministry of Environment and Water, setting an implementation deadline of March 1, 2027.
Topics: #hazardous #waste #audit
