Construction of a regional waste management system in the Razlog region

Funding/legal Reference
European Regional Development Fund through the Operational Program "Environment"

Reference year
11/07/2012 - 30/09/2016

Sector
Ecology - Waste management

Evidence of success (results achieved)
Constructed modern infrastructure facility for disposal and treatment of non-hazardous domestic waste. Technical and technological equipment for compaction, infiltration, water treatment, monitoring of environmental components.
Elaborated municipal waste management plans in accordance with regulatory requirements at European and national level.
Solved problems created by unregulated/illegal landfills, selfignition of the old municipal waste sites.
Separate collection of construction waste, plastic, paper, metal and glass waste introduced."

Difficulties encotered
Difficulties encountered during the implementation of the project arise in connection with the selected landfill site after preinvestment studies - in the land of the village of Banya, municipality of Razlog. Some of the local population opposed the investment intention of Municipality of Razlog, claiming that the proximity of the landfill would have a negative impact on the development of tourism in the village of Banya, known for its warm mineral waters and many spa hotels. Meetings were held, explanatory campaigns were held, and complaints were considered. This resistance slowed down the construction of the site, but in the end people were convinced that a modern regional landfill with its own treatment plant is nothing but an enterprise that does not pollute the air and water.
The lessons learned are that information campaigns and public hearings should be conducted among all stakeholders, which should be identified in advance and accurately.

Transferability
The project was presented as a good practice during a training seminar of the Ministry of Environment and Water. Similar to the Regional Landfill in Razlog, other regional landfills in the country have been built with funding from Operational Programme Environment, and function on the territory of a group of neighbouring municipalities.

Further information
http://ope.moew.government.bg/
http://umispublic.government.bg/srchProjectInfo.aspx?org=beneficient&id=66665
https://razlog.bg/projects/programen-period-2007-2013-g/item/1778-izgrazhdane-na-regionalnata-sistema-za-upravleniena-otpadatzite-v-region-razlog