NoWaste - GUIDE TO SEPARATE COLLECTION OF HOUSEHOLD WASTE

By project SMART WASTE

Published on 18 July 2022

Bulgaria

Yugozapaden

About this good practice

The integrated waste management system of the largest Municipality in Bulgaria – Sofia is constantly improved and aims to reduce the environmental impact of waste, increase recycling and stimulate investments in waste management. In spite the efforts of Sofia Municipality it is acknowledged that further investments in reduce, reuse, repair, recycle, recover and dispose is essential for an efficient and sustainable separate waste collection in the capital city.
The most significant challenge for separate collection is that all citizens realize their responsibility towards the environment and health of surrounding people and animals, and to make efforts not to throw the batteries, hazardous waste and WEEE generated in each household and offices into the residual waste bins.
Addressing this problem “Green Sofia”, part of Sofia Development Agency has developed an online guide NO WASTE - http://waste.sofia.bg. The platform provides information on the different types of waste and how they are disposed or collected. The map of the site through geospatial linking information data sets shows the location of the different types of containers for separate waste collection, the municipal sites for secondary raw materials, the reuse and repair centers. The schedules for collection of construction and bulky waste by regions are also available.
Stakeholders involved: Sofia Municipality, Ministry of Environment, citizens, companies, waste operators

Resources needed

The development of the platform was funded by the Sofia Municipality budget through Green Sofia unit. The cost for the development is around 100 thousand Euros. The team developing the platform includes 3 experts of Green Sofia, employees of Directorate „Waste Management” and the Waste operators.

Evidence of success

The internet platform is fully operational. The facebook followers of Green Sofia are more than 5.3K. The results are seen through increased quantity and quality of the recycling materials reported by Sofia Municipality increasing annually: +20% separate waste collected compared to the previous period.

Potential for learning or transfer

The development of waste management information systems is important for waste prevention. This experience is valuable for other municipalities. Waste prevention is the most efficient way to improve resource efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of waste by setting up and supporting re-use and repair networks and repurchase and refill schemes, and by encouraging re-production, renewal and, where appropriate, re-use of products through information sharing platforms.
Spreading the platform opportunities leads to positive green side effects - waste will be prevented and reused and they will not go to incineration, landfill or be dumped in the landscape.