Landfills run out by the end of 2027, municipalities neglect waste separation

Bulgaria faces a critical environmental challenge as its landfills approach capacity limits by the end of 2027, according to warnings issued by Environment Minister Rositsa Karamfilova. The minister emphasized during a meeting with representatives of local authorities on Thursday that many regional waste disposal sites are nearing their maximum storage capabilities. Constructing new facilities requires extensive preparation, design, procedural approvals, and construction time, which could take years. Preliminary estimates from the Ministry of Environment and Water suggest that within about 18 months, Bulgaria might encounter a serious shortage of landfill space.

Karamfilova highlighted that Bulgaria remains one of the few countries where over half of all waste is still landfilled, whereas the target set by European Union regulations is to reduce this figure to just 10% by 2035. Currently, anaerobic digestion and composting account for less than 3% of waste management efforts, while recycling of household waste stands below 17%, significantly lower than the EU average of around 48%.

The minister urged municipalities to accelerate preparations for implementing a new model for setting waste taxes based on the principle of “polluter pays.” This system would shift away from the current method of calculating waste fees based on property tax assessments and instead base them on the actual amount of waste generated by households. Implementing such a model is crucial for reducing the volume of waste sent to landfills and encouraging separate collection and recycling practices.

A legal procedure against Bulgaria has already been initiated by the European Commission due to the continued use of property-based waste taxation rather than usage-based rates. This process began in December 2024 after the country failed to comply with Brussels' requirements regarding waste fee calculations. Despite repeated warnings from the EU in July 2023, no significant changes have been made.

Although Bulgarian legislation since 2015 has stipulated that waste fees should be calculated based on the quantity of waste produced, implementation has repeatedly been delayed. Recent delays were attributed to issues with citizen registration and the need for accurate data on working individuals in companies. However, the real reason behind these delays appears to be the substantial increase in tariffs, which several municipalities have attempted to implement this year.

Karamfilova informed participants at the meeting that the legal proceedings against Bulgaria have reached the stage of “motivated opinion,” the final step before potential referral to the Court of Justice of the European Union. If the court rules against Bulgaria, the country will face severe financial penalties, ultimately borne by citizens.

To address these challenges, the government has allocated over €261 million under the Operational Program “Environment” up to 2027 for developing municipal waste management systems and transitioning toward a circular economy. Of this sum, €172.5 million is designated for building and upgrading systems for selective waste collection and composting of biodegradable waste, while nearly €45 million is earmarked for the rehabilitation of closed landfills and landfill cells.

Additionally, a European project worth more than €2 million has been developed by the Ministry of Environment and the association of municipalities, including specialized software for implementing the “polluter pays” model. Eighty-seven municipalities have expressed interest in adopting these models. A new measure worth approximately €44 million is currently being prepared to ensure the necessary equipment and technologies are available for applying the principle. Among upcoming investments are measures aimed at constructing centers for reuse and repair of goods.

Despite these initiatives, the implementation of the new waste taxation model faces resistance from some municipalities, who argue that the transition would require significant adjustments and resources. Nevertheless, the government continues to push forward with plans to modernize waste management infrastructure and align national policies with EU standards. As the deadline approaches, the pressure on local authorities to act decisively grows, with the aim of preventing a crisis in waste management and ensuring compliance with international obligations.