CASE STUDY 1: Municipal Approach

Gabrovo Municipality applies different approaches and mechanisms to solve some of the environmental challenges of the new times. The waste management system requires citizens to separate waste into two main flows – waste for recycling and waste for composting. It started with just two types of containers that were easily identifiable to citizens and it was clearly visible where to dispose of the relevant waste. Encouraging separate collection was a step in the right direction. Currently, the territory of Gabrovo municipality provides for the collection, treatment and recycling of – plastic bottles; metal, glass, paper and plastic packaging; biodegradable waste; textile waste; hazardous waste; wood waste.

The most successful practice of Gabrovo Municipality in waste recycling is the introduction of a deposit vending system.

Image: Gabrovo Municipality, project „Implementation of pilot demonstrational project in the field of waste management on the territory of Gabrovo Municipality“

Providing the system was a key step towards the circular economy. In April 2022 Gabrovo Municipality installed two machines for collecting PET plastic bottles and CANS aluminium cans. The vending machines are positioned in locations with wide public access. These are the first functioning vending machines for collecting of waste materials in Bulgaria.

234934 pieces of packaging were handed over and recycled in just 7 months (Fig. 2).

Precise separation of materials is made possible by providing a barcode and shape recognition system in the machines. Collected packaging wastes  are compacted in the machines and then sent for recycling. After each handover, the machines issue a system receipt with the quantity and type of packaging handed over, which users use to collect points, and the points are converted into rewards in the form of reusable items as well as discount vouchers from shops. Through the deposit system, on the one hand, a very high level of separated and clean waste ready for recycling is achieved and, on the other hand, habits are built in the attitudes of the population.