Image: BTA
Businesses in Bulgaria are calling for transparency, stability, security, and predictability in waste management costs. This view was shared by participants at a press conference on “Lack of transparency in the waste management system: higher prices for consumers. Businesses call for urgent measures,” which took place on Tuesday at the National Press Club of BTA in Sofia.
Businesses are proposing a moratorium on the increase of product fees, said Dobri Mitrev, Chairman of the Board of the Bulgarian Industrial Association (BIA). He noted that uncertainties related to the waste management system are already having a serious impact on the Bulgarian economy and industry, as well as on Bulgarian consumers.
The organizations involved in the issue propose conducting an objective analysis of the costs and efficiency of the system, and restoring competition in the issuance of permits for new recycling organizations. According to Mitrev, one of the main problems is that there are very few such organizations, and obtaining a permit to establish a new recycling organization is extremely difficult and subject to unclear procedures. The organizations involved in addressing the issue propose conducting an objective analysis of the costs and efficiency of the system, as well as promoting competition through the issuance of permits for new recycling organizations. According to Mitrev, one of the main problems is that there are very few such organizations, and that obtaining a permit to set up a new recycling organization is extremely difficult and carried out under unclear procedures.
Mitrev said that a meeting with the Minister of Environment and Water is scheduled for tomorrow.
State product fees in Bulgaria are between three and nine times higher than the average costs of managing waste electrical and electronic equipment in the European Union (EU), said Gabriela Chiflichka, Director General of APPLIA Bulgaria - an association of household appliance manufacturers. According to her, this results in significantly higher costs for managing waste electrical and electronic equipment being borne by Bulgarian consumers compared to other consumers across Europe.
Ivana Radomirova, Executive Director of the Union of Brewers in Bulgaria, said that there is still time to introduce a deposit return system in Bulgaria, but the process is already becoming critical, as it takes at least two years to implement. The deadline for the initial target of 90% separate collection of beverage packaging is 2029.
Radomirova said Bulgaria is among the countries significantly lagging in introducing a deposit return system for packaging, raising concerns among businesses, municipalities, consumer groups and environmental organizations. She urged lawmakers to complete the legislative process as soon as possible and proceed with the required public consultations and remaining steps.
Meglena Rusenova, Chair of the Bulgarian Photovoltaic Association, said environmental product fees paid by businesses in Bulgaria for solar panels and lithium-ion batteries are two to 90 times higher than in other EU Member States. This drives up investment and production costs, with product fees paid by Bulgarian businesses directly affecting the price of goods.
Nikola Gazdov, Chairperson of the Association for Electricity Production, Storage, and Trade, said that product fees in Bulgaria artificially increase the cost of otherwise low-cost solar power. He said the Environment Ministry should amend one of its ordinances and reduce product fees for photovoltaics and batteries to average European levels.
Source: BTA
