EU sends reasoned opinion to Bulgaria over waste recycling targets

The European Commission has sent a reasoned opinion to Bulgaria for failing to meet the targets for preparing municipal waste such as paper, metal, plastic and glass for reuse and recycling, the Ministry of Environment and Water announced.

The infringement procedure is at the final stage of the pre-litigation phase, with the next step being a possible referral of the case to the Court of Justice of the European Union. Bulgaria has two months to submit its position on the reasoned opinion.

The target of preparing 50% of municipal waste for reuse and recycling was supposed to have been met as early as 2020. Years later, Bulgaria has not only failed to close the gap, but reported recycling rates have also declined. This indicates that the country is facing not a temporary issue, but a systemic problem that has accumulated over years. Addressing it will be a major challenge and will be among the ministry’s key priorities in the years ahead.

Edited by Diana Tsankova

Translated by Kostadin Atanasov