At PRIA Environment Bulgaria Conference from May 14th 2025, the stakeholders from the industry have sent the same message: DRS is a solution for reaching Bulgaria’s environmental targets and it needs a comprehensive legislative framework and an optimum DRS design.
Jana VELICHKOVA, Executive Director, Bulgarian Soft Drinks Association, stated: „Key prerequisites for success in the implementation of the nationally significant project – Packaging Deposit System in Bulgaria, The Deposit System – Objectives and Main Participants; Guiding principles that should underlie the legal framework, model design and implementation of the national deposit system, Steps taken and expectations for the upcoming stages. A deposit-return system (DRS) is the collection of a cash deposit for beverage packaging (refillable or single-use) at the point of sale. When the packaging is returned to an authorized take-back center or retailer selling beverages in DRS packaging, the deposit is fully refunded to the returnee. To collect beverage packaging after consumption in order to meet EU and national targets (including PPWR and SUP) with the highest value of materials at the lowest cost levels for the obligated industry. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), through DRS OR PRO, requires producers to pay the costs of waste management (recovery of consumer packaging), clean-up (pollution), and awareness-raising measures” (EU, Waste Directive 2018). Main participants in the Deposit System- Manufacturers/importers who produce and/or distribute beverages, Retailers and other points of sale that purchase beverages from manufacturers/importers and then sell them to consumers, Consumers who purchase the product and return the empty packaging after consumption, The deposit operator, responsible for the administration and overall functioning of the system. The deposit operator is the legal entity authorized by the state that organizes the financial and operational fulfillment of the DRS obligations on behalf of the beverage manufacturers/importers.”
