site.btaNearly 37 Per Cent of Bulgarians Avoid Use of Plastic Bags, Poll Shows

Nearly 37 Per Cent of Bulgarians Avoid Use of Plastic Bags, Poll Shows

Sofia, March 28 (BTA) - A total of 36.4 per cent of the Bulgarian avoid using plastic carrier bags, a nationally representative poll conducted by the Exacta Agency shows. Nearly 38 per cent avoid using plastic bottles, cups, plates, etc.

The poll, commissioned under the Operational Programme for Environmental Protection (OPEP) 2014-2020, was conducted prior to the start of an educational campaign for environmental culture targeting young people. The campaign promotes the measures for clean environment carried out under the OPEP in the new programming period.

Thirty-eight per cent of the respondents in the poll said that they crush plastic bottles to save space in the waste bin. Twenty-six per cent of the respondents do not apply measures to reduce waste.

The poll yielded interesting results about the measures Bulgarian apply in their everyday activities to reduce air pollution. Nearly 59 per cent said they walk, rather than drive, 25.3 per cent use dry, instead of wet, firewood, 17.7 per cent use public transport instead of driving,15.8 per cent cycle, 6.6. per cent use coal with low content of sulphur and ash. More than 28 per cent of the respondents said they do not apply measures to reduce air pollution.

As the most serious environmental problems the Bulgarians noted forest cutting, absence of reforestation, arson, air pollution, illegal waste tips, absence of proper environmental culture among people.

The highest percentage of the respondents, 49.7 per cent, said that the problems with polluted areas in Bulgaria are due to the absence of proper culture in people. Naming the main culprit for pollution, 47.2 per cent of the respondents said these are the people, their traditions and culture, 11 per cent said this is the industry, 4.5 per cent said this is the poor control by the relevant institutions, and 3.1. per cent said the main culprit are the car emissions.

Asked about what of the facilities built under the previous OPEP contributed the most to a clean environment and nature protection, 36.7 per cent of the respondents said these are the 50 new waste-water treatment plants, 15.7 per cent said the 18 regional systems for waste management, and as many, the rehabilitated or newly built water supply and sewerage systems, 11.4 per cent of the respondents said these are the new public transport vehicles and metro trains, and 10.3 per cent said these are the projects for protection of extinct animals and plants.