[size=85:490f1x5j]novinite 13 May 2010

Bulgaria MPs Vote Drastic Fines for Waste Disposal Violations

Bulgaria's Members of the Parliament passed Thursday the amendments of the Waste Management Act, drastically increasing fines for violators.

Those who dispose of waste outside the designated dumpsters will be fined between BGN 300 and 1 000;
the same amounts apply for those who fail to recycle, while the fines double for repeat offenders.

Mayors, who fail to undertake actions to build or close dump sites and to reinforce the waste disposal rules face personal fines up to BGN 20 000.

The amendments also provide for increased control over the disposal of oil products and batteries and mandate for retailers of such items to provide special facilities for the disposal. The fine is up to BGN 10 000 and doubles for repeat offenses.

Fines for individuals selling non-ferrous metals is BGN 1 400 to 4 000;
those for businesses which deposit waste but fail to pay taxes are up to BGN 100 000.

With the new amendments the permits of all companies currently recycling waste are annulled and they will have to reapply with the Environmental Ministry.

Meanwhile, Environmental Minister, Nona Karadzhova, said Thursday that the use of plastic grocery bags might be discontinued by the end of the year and they will replaced by paper or textile ones.

The State is further mulling mandating people who violate public order, including trash disposal regulations, to do community work.