site.btaSofia Hosts International Forum on Sustainable Development and Circular Economy

Sustainable development and circular economy are a shared cause that requires a long-term vision and consistency, Environment Minister Manol Genov said at the opening of an international forum of the Union of Brewers in Bulgaria on a sustainable future here on Thursday.

"Through the circular economy we save energy and turn waste into raw materials. The circular economy is not just an economic model but a philosophy of development. Your experience will be a valuable guide for building a transparent deposit system in which responsibilities are shared among all - institutions, producers and consumers," the Minister said, addressing the experts participating in the event.

"The Danish experience with the deposit system goes back a long way – more than 100 years," said Danish Ambassador to Bulgaria Flemming Stender in his greeting. "Our path towards separate bottle collection began in 1922 and by the 1940s we had achieved 100% return of glass bottles. Gradually, the system expanded to include plastic bottles and cans. Recycling is part of everyday life and has become a habit for people. We design our cities so that every shop has a return point for bottles and cans, and we already accept large containers as well. The recycling process is fast and involves everyone along the chain, with almost 93% of packaging returned for recycling. Even small waste bins have compartments for separate collection. The Danish system is a vivid example of a circular economy in action, helping us achieve the green transition. The key to success is dialogue between the State, industry and society," Stender explained.

"In the Netherlands, elections were held yesterday - the results were very close, and the votes are still being counted. However, we believe this will not affect the deposit return system, as it is supported by all political parties and is widely used in the country," Dutch Ambassador to Bulgaria Arthur den Hartog said. "Our goal is to achieve a fully circular economy in the Netherlands by 2050," he added.

"The brewing industry can be an example of how business can protect nature while developing communities," said Union of Brewers in Bulgaria Board Chair Vladimir Ivanov. "Our industry is among the leading businesses with green initiatives. International research shows that two-thirds of consumers are willing to buy a more expensive product if it is environmentally friendly. In our brewing industry, 100% of packaging can be recycled, and millions of glass bottles are returned. The environmental approach is not PR, but a way of doing business with no alternative. An important issue ahead of us is the selection and operation of the National Deposit Operator," Ivanov noted.

Between 2020 and 2024, the brewing industry in Bulgaria invested BGN 86 million in green innovations, the Union of Brewers in Bulgaria reported. During the period, the industry achieved a 40% reduction in electricity use, 30% cut in carbon emissions, 37% decrease in PET bottles, and a threefold reduction in water consumption. Deposit Return Systems (DRS) have proven to be one of the most successful tools for collecting packaging and can achieve over 90% efficiency. "These systems are mandatory for EU Member States, and 18 countries have already implemented them. Bulgaria, too, will soon have to introduce a deposit system. Through it, everyone will be able to return used cans and bottles to shops for a certain sum - for example, BGN 0.20 (EUR 0.10) - which they will have already paid when purchasing the respective drink," the Union representatives added.