Developing a Source Separation Program for Karlovo

The municipality of Karlovo joined the Bulgarian Resource Cities Program in 2003. Karlovo was paired with the city of Winchester , Virginia , and the two municipalities began working together in March 2003. After much deliberation and many meetings with Karlovo s various agencies and groups, the partners selected the project that provided the greatest opportunity for replication: the initiation of a pilot source separation program.

Source separation is one of Bulgaria s highest priorities, as it is a requirement for entering the European Union in 2007. Several municipalities have attempted to implement a source separation program; however, none have been successful. Karlovo has recently constructed a new landfill and is in the early stages of closing the old one. Source separation, with its ability to reduce the use of a landfill while increasing its useful life, is ready to become an integral part of Karlovo s overall solid waste management plan.

The project involved the development of an action plan to meet the specific needs of Karlovo, including consideration of the availability of recycled materials industries, citizen knowledge of and interest in source separation, and current waste disposal practices.

As the source separation concept developed, the partners identified several problem areas to address:

Composition of solid waste.

Availability of markets for recycled materials.

Development of a public education program, including working with the local mass media and youth groups.

Selection of locations for source separation collection.

Selection of equipment to be used for collection and transportation to the materials markets.

In 2000, Karlovo municipal officials were concerned about the growing problem of discarded plastic bags becoming entangled in trees, bushes, and fences and consequently launched the concept of source separation as a means of reducing the number of plastic bags that went to the landfill.

One of the first steps Karlovo took was to find out if there was a recycling market for the plastic bags. After searching the recycling markets, Karlovo officials determined that no such market existed. The idea was dormant until March 2003 when Winchester was teamed with Karlovo. In the initial visit and through various meetings, Karlovo officials, staff, NGOs, and service organizations revisited the concept of source separation.

Through further discussions about source separation and visits to Winchester , the team was able to move the concept toward reality. The process involved the following:

Visiting recycling centers in Virginia .

Observing source separation equipment and procedures in Winchester .

Discussing techniques used by Winchester in the startup and continuation of its ongoing source separation program.

Surveying the market for recycled materials in the Karlovo region.

Reviewing the industry standards for source separation equipment including collection containers and collection trucks.

Applying to the Bulgarian Ministry of Environment for grant funds to implement the program.

The project was initiated in March 2003 during Winchester s visit to Karlovo. The partners accomplished the following tasks:

May 9, 2003 : Karlovo visited Winchester and observed Winchester s source separation program.

May 13, 2003 : Karlovo submitted an application to the Ministry of Environment for a grant to implement the source separation program.

July 25, 2003 : The Ministry of Environment gave preliminary approval for a grant of 200,000 leva for the pilot source separation program (76 collection containers, one truck, and small collection containers in two schools).

August 2003: Karlovo and Winchester staff met with the Karlovo School Board, the youth group, and mass media representatives to discuss their role in the source separation program and particularly in citizen education and participation.

August 12, 2003 : Karlovo and Fenix-Iug signed the preliminary contract for accepting the recycled materials.

December 2003: The Ministry of Environment gave final approval for the grant of 200,000 leva for the pilot source separation program.

January March 2004: Karlovo followed required procedures for buying the source separation containers and truck.

February 2004: Karlovo visited Winchester and developed the preliminary design for the citizen survey and the overall plans for the official opening of the source separation program, planned for May 2004.

April 16, 2004 : Karlovo completed Phase 1 of the pilot project by locating containers in five areas of the municipality and one school.

May 14, 2004 : Karlovo completed Phase 2 of the pilot project by locating additional containers in 12 areas of the municipality and one school.

May 14, 2004 : Karlovo and Winchester officials and staff celebrated the official start of the source separation program at one of the two schools with citizens, students, the youth group, and the local mass media in attendance.

In April and May 2004, Karlovo completed Phases 1 and 2 of the source separation pilot program. The municipality had accomplished the following:

Obtained a grant from the State of Bulgaria.

Purchased 76 source separation containers for outside, one truck and 50 source separation containers for inside two schools.

Placed the source separation containers in selected locations throughout the municipality.

Prepared citizen surveys about source separation, which were conducted by a Karlovo youth group.

Involved local media and television channels in the dissemination of a promotional video clip and news about the startup of the source separation program.

Signed a contract with Fenix-Iug for accepting the recycled materials.

Held a public grand opening for the initiation of the source separation program in Karlovo.

The implementation of the pilot source separation program has begun moving Karlovo into an era of environmental action. The benefits expected from this program are:

Reduction of solid waste volume entering the landfill and extension of its useful life.

A source of revenue to the municipality for the recycled materials.

Increase in employment and development of the recycled materials industry in the region.

Public education and participation.

Increase in citizen awareness of environmental issues.

Accomplishment of required steps for Bulgaria to enter the European Union.

Promotion of an environmentally conscious image to potential investors in the region.

The municipality of Karlovo has successfully begun the source separation pilot program and will continue and expand the program. Karlovo has applied to the Ministry of Environment to increase the grant so that the municipality can purchase 80 additional containers and one truck.