On May 14, 2025, the first conference in Bulgaria fully dedicated to the development and implementation of a Deposit Return System (DRS) was held at the Sofia Balkan Palace Hotel. The event aimed to foster dialogue among key stakeholders, including government institutions, industry representatives, NGOs, and international experts, focusing on the practical steps for establishing a DRS in the country.

Highlighting the importance of collective effort, Vladimir Ivanov, Chairman of the Union of Brewers in Bulgaria, emphasized that the event served as a platform to demonstrate strong collaboration between the obligated industry and the non-governmental sector. He noted the significance of transparency to the public and underscored the commitment to align with European best practices in packaging management. „Our goal is clear – to implement the best European practices in our country and work together to protect the environment,” Ivanov stated.

The conference underscored the urgency of introducing a DRS to meet the EU’s regulatory target, which mandates that by 2029, at least 90% of plastic bottles and metal cans placed on the market must be collected separately. Participants unanimously agreed that DRS is the most effective mechanism to achieve this goal. Several European countries, including Romania and Slovakia, were cited as successful examples where similar systems have already been implemented.

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