The Sofia Municipality marks World Recycling Day - March 18, with an emphasis on the role of separate collection as a key factor for the cleanliness of the city and sustainable resource management.
Data shows that over 60% of the waste in gray containers is actually recyclable materials - paper, plastic, metal and glass, which can be returned to the economy as raw materials.
„Every piece of waste disposed of in the wrong container costs us all money. When we dispose of waste separately, we not only protect nature, but also save money on garbage fees. This is the simplest action that everyone can take to contribute to a cleaner Sofia“, said Sofia Mayor Vasil Terziev.
According to calculations by the Sofia Municipality, each ton of waste that ends up in the gray container costs Sofia residents about 200 euros - for collection, transportation, treatment and disposal. At the same time, waste disposed of in colored containers is processed through the product fee system and does not burden the municipality's budget.
The Sofia Municipality is actively working to expand the separate collection system by:
increasing the number of colored containers;
more frequent service;
introducing stricter control over the quality of the service.
As part of this policy, a pilot introduction of a municipal model for separate collection in the areas of “Ovcha Kupel“ and “Kremikovtzi“ is also pending, with higher standards and better control.
“Waste is not just garbage - it is a resource. The way we manage them determines both the cleanliness of the city and how we spend our common funds“, Terziev also emphasized.
World Recycling Day is an occasion for the Sofia Municipality to appeal to all citizens to make separate collection a part of their daily lives.
Small actions – such as folding cartons, separating packaging and throwing them in the correct container – have a real effect on the cleanliness of the city and on the costs we all pay.
“Separate collection must become a habit. Any waste that ends up in the colored container is waste for which we will not pay a second time“, added the mayor.