Recycling materials such as paper, glass and aluminum reduces the need to extract new raw materials, which is exhausting for natural resources. This was stated in an interview with BTA by the Chairman of the Management Board (MB) of the Bulgarian Recycling Association (BAR), Borislav Malinov. Recycling also leads to a reduction in pollution, he emphasized. The production of products from recycled materials is more environmentally friendly, generating fewer emissions and pollution. Recycling turns waste into new products, instead of throwing them in landfills, where they pollute the environment, the expert explained. According to him, the recycling process has advanced, but many people still do not know what products can be recycled.
In Bulgaria, paper (newspapers, magazines, books, cardboard, egg cartons), plastic (bottles, food packaging, caps, foil), glass (bottles, jars), packaging, ferrous and non-ferrous metals, textiles (clothes, shoes, bed linen), electronics (telephones, computers, televisions), also batteries and accumulators, car tires can be recycled, Malinov specified. We can also add cars and used lubricating oils to the list. It is important to note that not all products are recyclable. Some types of plastic, for example, cannot be recycled and must undergo another type of treatment such as incineration with energy recovery, the entrepreneur said.
BAR is working on a number of initiatives to promote recycling and environmental protection, said Malinov. Among them are public information campaigns. We have educational programs for children and adults, we also cooperate with state institutions, municipalities and various organizations to develop and implement policies for environmentally friendly recycling. We also help businesses develop and implement practices for sustainable development, the chairman of the association’s board also said.
On the occasion of the International Earth Day on April 22, Malinov called on us to remember that environmental protection is the responsibility of all of us. Each of us can contribute by making small changes in our daily lives, he believes.
Such initiatives provide an opportunity to raise public awareness of environmental problems and the importance of protecting them. These days can motivate people to take action to protect the environment, for example, to recycle more, reduce their consumption or get involved in volunteer activities, i.e. we have encouragement to act, Malinov also commented.
The full text of the interview follows:
Mr. Malinov, in your opinion, why is it important to celebrate Earth Day?
– Celebrating days related to environmental protection is important for several reasons. First of all, such initiatives provide an opportunity to raise public awareness of environmental problems and the importance of protecting them. These days can motivate people to take action to protect the environment, for example, to recycle more, reduce their consumption or engage in volunteer activities, i.e. we have an incentive to act. In addition, initiatives like today’s give us the opportunity to unite around the cause of environmental protection. Through them, we can show that we care about the planet. It is important to remember that environmental protection is the responsibility of all of us. Each of us can contribute by making small changes in our daily lives.
How does BAR contribute to these processes in our country?
– The association works on a number of initiatives to promote recycling and environmental protection. Among them are public awareness campaigns. We have educational programs for children and adults. Last but not least, we cooperate with government institutions, municipalities and various organizations to develop and implement policies for environmentally friendly recycling. We also help businesses develop and implement sustainable development practices.
Do you still have to explain to people what recycling is and why it is important for the well-being of our planet?
– Yes, we still need to talk about recycling. While many people are generally familiar with the basic principles of recycling, there are still gaps in knowledge and practices related to it. Reducing the amount of waste is one of the reasons why recycling is important. Recycling turns waste into new products instead of throwing it in landfills where it pollutes the environment. Conserving natural resources is another reason. Recycling materials such as paper, glass and aluminum reduces the need to extract new raw materials, which is exhausting for natural resources.
Recycling also leads to a reduction in pollution. Producing products from recycled materials is more environmentally friendly, generating fewer emissions and pollution. Job creation is another thing that should be mentioned as a positive. Recycling is an industry that creates jobs in sorting, processing and manufacturing new products from recycled materials.
Which products can we recycle?
– In Bulgaria, paper (newspapers, magazines, books, cardboard, egg cartons), plastic (bottles, food packaging, caps, foil), glass (bottles, jars), packaging, ferrous and non-ferrous metals, textiles (clothes, shoes, bedding), electronics (telephones, computers, televisions), also batteries and accumulators, car tires can be recycled. We can also add cars and used lubricants to the list.
It is important to note that not all products are recyclable. Some materials, such as some types of plastic, cannot be recycled and must undergo another type of treatment, lower in the waste hierarchy, such as incineration with energy recovery.
How do you assess this process in Bulgaria? It is believed that we do not have enough containers for separate waste collection, for example.
The recycling process in Bulgaria is still developing. While large cities have a relatively good infrastructure for separate collection, some smaller settlements still lack separate collection containers. In addition to the lack of infrastructure, there are other problems such as insufficient awareness. Many people do not know what products can be recycled and how to support this process in the right direction. There is also contamination of recyclable materials, with recyclable materials often contaminated with other waste, which makes their processing difficult.
What will the European Parliament (EP) decision to revise the Waste Framework Directive regarding food and textile waste lead to?
– It is planned to reduce food waste by at least 20% in food processing and production and 40% per capita in retail, restaurants, catering establishments and households. Introduction of mandatory extended producer responsibility for textiles and footwear. Another proposal provides for the sorting of textile waste to follow the proximity principle, with priority given to sorting at the local level. This decision is a step in the right direction. Reducing food and textile waste, as well as taking adequate measures for their environmentally friendly management, will contribute to environmental protection and more sustainable development.
Do you think that in recent years and with the decisions at the European and global level there has been a reduction in waste in general?
– Yes, there has been a certain reduction in waste in recent years. I think that more and more people are aware of the importance of environmental protection and are striving to reduce the amount of waste they produce. Another fact is that many countries have introduced policies for separate waste collection and extended producer responsibility systems, which facilitates recycling. We should also note the development of technologies. New recycling technologies are being developed that allow the recycling of a wider range of materials. Despite these advantages, there is still a lot of work to be done. The amount of waste generated is still too large and it is necessary to take further measures to reduce it and to introduce separate waste collection systems, with the aim of their proper subsequent treatment in accordance with the waste hierarchy.