Sofia Municipality will allocate just over 260 million BGN for cleaning in 2023

Sofia municipality plans to allocate BGN 260,2 million for cleaning activities for the next year, Desislava Bileva, deputy mayor in charge of Green System, Ecology and Land Use said on November 2.

This is an increase of 9.5% compared to the current year, Bileva clarified and stressed that the main priority for the municipality remains the maintenance of cleanliness in the capital, and there will be a special focus in the residential districts. Funds have been earmarked for the maintenance of inter-block spaces, for mowing lawns. Additional funds will also be allocated for washing boulevards and streets, and it is envisaged that more and more streets inside the residential areas will be washed.

The cost for the municipality’s biological and chemical treatment plant is being increased. There is an increase of over BGN 8 million due to increased electricity bills. Sofia Municipality is also planning to build its own solar plant to reduce the plant's costs. However, the plant also has income - electricity and compost production, which it sells. The total revenue for the first nine months of the year is over BGN 1.5 million.

Until 30 November is the deadline for companies to submit declarations for payment of the fee for waste tax, reminded Doncho Barbalov, deputy mayor for finance and health. He pointed out that this year 1,400 declarations have been filed, which is small compared to last year when there were 7,500.

The documents can also be filed electronically and extended hours will be in place until the deadline, including weekends. Revenue from the municipal waste charge is expected to be 260 million BGN. The annual container charge is also changing - BGN 1,540 is the proposal for the small container and BGN 9,235 for the big container. There will be no change to the 'Waste” charge for residents and businesses.