site.btaSofia's Waste Collection Companies Recycle Nearly 70% of Packaging Placed on Market in 2024

In 2024, nearly 62,000 tons of packaging waste, representing 69.50% of all waste placed on the market, were recycled by Bulecopack, one of the three waste collection companies in Sofia, the company told the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA).

According to data from a survey conducted by the Sofia Municipality among 6,128 people, respondents describe the colored waste containers managed by waste collection companies in the capital as "extremely unsuitable," "inconvenient," and "ineffective." According to them, one of the significant obstacles to the success of the colored container system is the widespread distrust that separately collected waste is actually recycled.

BTA contacted all three waste collection companies in the capital to find out how the waste separation process works.

"As an organization responsible for waste collection, we are required to recycle over 65% of the waste we collect. Our separate collection system uses different colored containers - blue, yellow, and green. Once a package is put on the market and taken by the consumer, it becomes waste. When it ends up in the right container, we have to provide service with specialized trucks. It then goes to a regional center and has to be sorted," said Ecopack Operational Director Hristo Dikov in an interview with BTA.

Ecobulpack told BTA that igloo-type containers (with special openings) achieve a very good level of recycling. "For Sofia, our data shows that between 60-70% of the waste in the yellow containers is sent for recycling after sorting. For green containers, the percentage of recycled waste is even higher. For "beaver" type containers (with lids), the percentage of recyclable waste collected is lower. The reason for this is that people also dispose of household waste in them. Mixing general (household) waste with recyclable waste contaminates the recyclable waste and makes it difficult, and sometimes even impossible, to recycle," the company said.

Ecopack told BTA how exactly the waste separation process works at the Sofia facility. The paper is fed evenly, passes through rollers, and moves along conveyor belts. A magnet separates any metal that has accidentally fallen into the waste. It is then sorted manually by people who separate the different types of materials.

"Today, waste from the blue containers (paper and cardboard) was collected, and the people working here separated the two types of waste. When plastic is collected, the different types of plastic are separated. When enough sorted waste has accumulated, it is baled. The bale is then sent for recycling," explained Dikov.

He pointed out that when people do not dispose of their waste in the appropriate containers, material is lost. "We return the material that is unsuitable for recycling to the respective municipalities, and they are responsible for disposing of it or incinerating it," added Dikov.

"When the glass arrives at our facility, it is first separated, removing any debris that may have accidentally fallen into it. It is then crushed, cleaned, and broken down to the required size," said Unitrade Eco LTD Manager Lyubka Temelkova.

"The goal after separation is to have two types of glass - clear and colored. To be used later, it has to be over 99.99% pure," added Dikov.