European Commission in Sofia to discuss Circular Economy opportunities

Bulgaria has considerable improvement to make on waste management relative to other EU Member States. The recycling rate of Bulgaria has gradually increased to 32% in 2016, but it still remains considerably lower than the EU average of 46% and significant efforts will be needed to meet the 50% EU recycling target by 2020. Bulgaria is among the Member States with the highest landfilling rates for municipal waste in the EU (64% in 2016 compared to the EU average of 24%). Without timely action, Bulgaria will not only miss the 2020 target, but will also be in a difficult position to progress towards meeting the municipal waste recycling targets for 2025 and 2030.

Bulgaria has great potential to increase the amount of wealth it generates from the material resources already circulating in its economy. Today Bulgaria’s “resource productivity stands at €0.30 per kg, compared to an EU average of €2.04 per kg. Driving this up will require investment, innovation and entrepreneurship. Whereas many companies are aware of the benefits of energy efficiency and waste reduction (36% and 28% of Bulgarian companies respectively said that they have taken measures in these areas), 54% of Bulgarian companies say that they have invested less than 1% of turnover in becoming more resource efficient.

Joanna Drake, Deputy Director General of DG Environment, European Commission, is in Sofia today to explain how Bulgaria can get on a “virtuous circle”  where resources are used efficiently, creating business opportunities for re-manufacturing, repair, re-use, product sharing and for recycling. Ms Drake will highlight that the Commission is there to help Member States by offering technical assistance, structural fund support and support in the exchange of best practices. To that end, she is bringing with her experts that can explain how they have broken away from linear “extract-produce-consumer-throw away” models. Quick progress is necessary and possible if the respective national and local authorities take action on the ground. The programme will include a round table with national, local and business representatives as well as a conference on the transition to a green economy in Bulgaria organised by the Bulgaria Economic Forum. This is the third event in a series of ‘Virtuous Circles’ missions to 12 EU Member States.

Ms Drake said: “My visit to Sofia is to emphasise that a structural reform of the waste management system will accelerate Bulgaria’s transition towards a more competitive circular economy. This is not something for the environment ministry and the waste agencies only. Cross-ministerial co-operation is essential to implement the recently adopted policies, in particular on Extended Producer Responsibility and on separate collection of waste. It is important to recognise that there are also significant business and employment opportunities in the good application of these polices, next to the clear environmental benefits”.

Compliance with EU waste legislation is an essential part of the solution. The structural reforms and investment in better waste management will also provide profitable business opportunities and potential jobs, particularly for cities and regions. The aim of the ‘Virtuous Circles’ missions is to share ideas and best practices from across the EU to tap into these opportunities, while improving the implementation of EU rules on waste on the ground. For example separate collection and processing of biowaste, a requirement from 2023, will bring on tap thousands of tons of potential nutrients or biogas.

14 EU countries, including Bulgaria, were shortlisted as being at risk of missing the 2020 recycling target on municipal waste in a Commission report on implementation of waste legislation, including the Early Warning report adopted on 24 September 2018. For each Member State the Commission presented blueprints for action to ensure compliance with EU waste legislation.