site.btaEnvironment Minister: Fixing Bulgaria’s Waste Sector Requires Treating Waste as Resource

The current issues of Bulgaria's waste sector will persist until waste is treated as a resource and stronger, transparent competition is introduced among the organizations responsible for its management, caretaker Environment Minister Julian Popov told Parliament during Question Time on Friday. He said now the waste sector is "out of control". 

Waste management efforts cannot simply be shifted onto mayors - intervention and action are required at all levels, Popov said. "We exercise control very strictly, but we need to work much more seriously to ensure that this control is effective and that municipalities and regional governors are involved," Popov added. He noted that he has met with many mayors and regional governors across the country and has raised the issue with them.

He committed to discussing the matter with the relevant ministers, describing it as a priority issue. "I cannot promise that we will resolve it within two months, but we will work on it," Popov said.

Responding to a question about a project to build a gunpowder and ammunition plant in the municipality of Karlovo and the potential pollutants identified so far, Popov said that no notification of an investment proposal has yet been submitted and one is needed before an environmental impact assessment (EIA) is performed. Popov added that his Ministry is taking all preventive measures to identify and assess potential impacts on the environment and human health from the project. The case is of national significance and is being closely monitored, he said.

"The Ministry will do everything possible to ensure that procedures are strictly followed," Popov noted.