Collection Systems in Bulgaria 🇧🇬
About
Bulgaria's waste management system uses a combination of municipal collection, colour-coded bins, and specialised drop-off points to separate and manage household waste. While the exact system varies by municipality, there are common practices for residual waste, packaging, hazardous waste, and bulky items.
Collection Streams
Residual Waste (Mixed Household Waste)
What goes in:
- Food scraps (if the municipality has no separate bio-waste service)
- Dirty or greasy packaging
- Hygiene waste such as diapers and sanitary products
- Broken ceramics and porcelain
What does NOT go in:
- Items that have a separate collection stream: paper/cardboard, plastics/metals, and glass
- Hazardous household waste like paints, chemicals, or mercury-containing devices
- WEEE/electronics and batteries
- Construction and bulky waste
Notes:
- Residual waste typically goes into grey or black bins or bags
- Bulgarian law prohibits placing waste in residual bins if a separate collection system exists, and sanctions may apply
- The Ministry of Environment and Water uses black bags in national guidance to represent 'other household waste'
Plastic, Metal, and Paper Packaging – Yellow Bin
What goes in:
- Plastic bottles (water, soft drinks, oil, beer)
- Yogurt cups, milk bottles
- Cosmetic and sanitary product bottles and tubes
- Plastic bags, stretch film, wrapping foil
- Metal drink cans, tins, jar lids, and bottle caps
- Occasionally: clean plastic cups or plates (if specifically allowed)
- In two-container systems: paper packaging alongside plastic and metal
What does NOT go in:
- Very contaminated packaging or paper
- Medication blister packs
- Oil tubes or packaging with harmful residues
- Motor oil bottles
- Packaging from hazardous chemicals
- Electronics, printed circuit boards
- Toys, flower pots, home appliances, car parts
Notes:
- The yellow bin is primarily for packaging only
- Some municipalities operate a two- or three-bin system, which may also include paper in the yellow bin
- Preparation rules include emptying, rinsing or wiping, crushing bottles, and flattening packaging where possible
- Municipal rules vary, with some areas placing paper in a separate blue bin
Paper and Cardboard – Blue Bin
What goes in:
- Cardboard boxes and paper/cardboard packaging
- Paper bags
- Newspapers and magazines
- Empty milk and juice cartons (composite)
What does NOT go in:
- Household items like napkins, sanitary materials, or cigarette ends
- Greasy or heavily contaminated paper (e.g., pizza boxes)
- Coated paper (plastic/metal coated)
- Non-paper waste
Notes:
- Where a blue bin is available, it is used for paper and cardboard
- Paper and cardboard should be kept clean and dry
- Boxes and cartons should be flattened
- Oversized cardboard should not be stuffed into street containers, as some municipalities expect these to be handled separately
- In two-bin systems, paper packaging may go in the yellow bin instead of blue
Household Hazardous Waste
What goes in:
- Mercury and mercury-containing devices (thermometers, etc.)
- Paints and varnishes
- Household chemicals and detergents
- Inks and contaminated packaging
- Expired medicines (in some cities)
What does NOT go in:
- Items in residual or recycling bins
- Used needles and syringes are infectious waste and not accepted by the household hazardous waste system
Notes:
- Collected at mobile points or municipal collection sites
- A mobile collection point model exists nationally and is active in many municipalities
- Sofia provides explicit guidance on which hazardous categories are accepted
- Do not place hazardous items in residual or recycling bins
Glass Packaging – Green Bin
What goes in:
- Bottles of any colour
- Food jars
- Cosmetic glass jars or bottles
What does NOT go in:
- Drinking glasses, mugs, plates
- Porcelain or heat-resistant glass
- Light bulbs or fluorescent lamps (hazardous)
- Window glass, mirrors, and car glass
Notes:
- Glass collection is for packaging only
- Lids, caps, or corks should be removed and placed in the yellow stream if they are plastic or metal
- Rinsing is recommended but not always mandatory
Bulky Waste and Small Home Renovation Waste
What goes in:
- Scheduled collection days for furniture and large items
- On-request pick-up
- Designated drop-off areas
What does NOT go in:
- Coloured packaging bins or standard residual waste
Notes:
- Handled by municipal services
- These items do not belong in coloured packaging bins or standard residual waste
- In Sofia, for example, residents are guided to leave furniture and certain renovation materials near containers according to municipal schedules
Bio-Waste / Organics
What goes in:
- Green waste: grass, branches, shrubs, leaves
- Kitchen and food waste: fruit, vegetables, meat, dairy, cooked and raw foods
What does NOT go in:
- Construction waste
- Bulky waste
- Residual household waste
- Packaging
- Soil or stones
Notes:
- Separate bio-waste collection exists only where municipalities provide it
- Separate bio-waste collection is not yet universal in Bulgaria, so residents should check with local authorities to confirm availability and rules
- Bio-waste should not be mixed with construction waste, bulky waste, residual household waste, packaging, soil, or stones
What Gets Collected
Accepted Items
- • Packaging materials (varies by stream)
- • Empty and clean containers
- • Material-specific items
Not Accepted
- • Non-packaging items
- • Contaminated materials
- • Hazardous containers with contents
Regional Variations
Collection systems in Bulgaria may vary by municipality or region. Local sorting capabilities, collection infrastructure, and acceptance criteria can differ significantly even within the same country.
Important Notes
Bulgaria's waste system is gradually expanding, with clear separation for packaging, paper, glass, hazardous materials, and organics where available.
Residents are encouraged to follow municipal rules carefully, prepare recyclables properly, and take advantage of special collection points for hazardous and bulky items.
Sources
Collection system information is based on national and regional guidelines. For the most current and location-specific information, consult local waste management authorities.