site.btaA Record 2,000 t of Textile Waste Collected Separately in Sofia in 2024

A record-large amount of more than 2,000 tonnes of textile waste was collected separately in Sofia in 2024, City Hall said in a press release on Friday. The increase is the result of consistent efforts by the administration of Mayor Vassil Terziev to deal with the waste generated in the Bulgarian capital.

The year also saw the separate collection of unprecedentedly large amounts of hazardous waste (19 tonnes) and food waste (over 8,000 tonnes).

City Hall reported significantly improved performance of the Waste Plant of Sofia, which had a record increase in recyclable materials separated from general waste in 2024. Such materials fetched BGN 1,750,000 in revenues throughout the year, which is an increase by more than BGN 1 million compared with 2023.

To collect textile waste at its source, City Hall is working with three companies which have put up 243 special containers around the capital. The local authorities and the TexCycle firm have launched a campaign among schoolchildren to raise their awareness of the importance of handling textile waste separately. The first educational activity under the programme was conducted earlier this week.

Under the initiative, experts will meet with school students to give them information materials and let them watch the educational film "Resource or Waste? A New Perspective on Textiles." Kids from different schools will collect disused textiles to be processed at TexCycle facilities. The school which collects the largest amount will receive an encouragement award.