Pomorie: A New Approach to Waste Management with Bio-Bags

Pomorie Municipality has taken a revolutionary step in waste management, putting citizens and the environment at the center of its efforts. The project "Holistic Approach to Waste Management in the Transition to a Circular Economy", co-financed by the LIFE program of the European Union, has introduced an innovative scheme for waste collection "door-to-door", with the clear goal of introducing the principle of "pay as you throw".

Within the framework of this ambitious project, all households in the "Svoboda" district received specially designed bags for the different types of waste. The atmosphere in the neighborhood resembled something new, the beginning of a change that everyone would feel.

A key focus of the initiative is the collection of organic waste, for which 100% biodegradable and compostable bags were provided – a clear sign of the municipality's commitment to a cleaner, more sustainable, and modern environment. The bags are made of potato starch, a material that breaks down quickly and without a trace in nature. They are certified with the highest class certificates according to the EN 13432 standard by TÜV Austria, which guarantees their high quality and environmental efficiency.

The decision to use these ecological alternatives to conventional plastic has significant benefits. With this step, the municipality saves over 3 tons of plastic, while also preventing the release of about 9 tons of carbon emissions (CO₂eq) – calculated according to an internationally recognized emission factor for plastic. To imagine the scale of these achievements, this is equivalent to planting over 450 trees, or avoiding over 30,000 km of car emissions.

In addition to these undeniable environmental benefits, the bags play a key role in the collection of organic waste. This process is crucial for reducing waste deposited in landfills and for the production of high-quality compost. The use of 100% biodegradable and compostable bags is recognized as the only correct solution for effective, clean, and sustainable collection of organic waste, without the risk of pollution and without residues of microplastics.

This is more than a project – it is an expression of responsibility towards nature and people, a choice that characterizes modern cities. Solutions for a sustainable future are not for tomorrow – they are happening today.