SLUDGE FROM WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANTS IN BULGARIA – WASTE OR RESOURCE

Abstract

Environmental pollution leads to significant economic losses, which arise from the costs of waste
treatment and management. The need for sustainable management and effective prevention and
control measures is essential to reduce these negative impacts and ensure long-term economic
growth and social well-being. At the same time, waste represents an opportunity to generate
economic value through recycling, composting and the use of waste as raw materials. The
management of waste streams and the market for secondary raw materials presents both significant
challenges and many opportunities for the modern world. Proper understanding, sustainable
management and appropriate utilization of these resources can initiate a new model of interaction
with the environment, which in turn can contribute to achieving significant economic and
environmental benefits.
The object of this study is the sludge from wastewater treatment plants as part of specific waste
streams, as well as their management activities and reporting values presented for a 10-year period
within Bulgaria. The aggregates related to the sludge generation and recovery activities of the
Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs) in Bulgaria have been subject to a dynamic development
during the last decade. The focus is on their recovery as a resource and not only as a waste.
The thesis that by proper treatment, sludge can be transformed into a resource that can in turn be
used appropriately in various processes is discussed. This can reduce the need for primary resources
and contribute to the sustainable development of particular economic sectors by, for example,
favoring intensive farming/agriculture activities and the implications this brings.
The main objective of this paper is to classify the main types of waste streams and to look at the
current status of sewage sludge and the opportunities for its reuse in the economic cycle. The main
challenges and opportunities in the sector will be identified, as well as current effective management
strategies and policies. An overview is also given of the legislative framework for sludge
management in Bulgaria and the European Union, which plays a key role in regulating sludge
recovery. It is essential to note that, under European legislation, sludge is safe where proper
management is in place. With that being said, and in the light of the ongoing trends towards
sustainable development, there is an increasing need to focus attention on this direction by applying
specific sustainable methods for their recovery.
The report highlights the importance of sustainable sludge management, with a strong emphasis on
the need to continue efforts for sustainable sludge management in Bulgaria and in general.