Environmentally sound disposal of obsolete pesticides

Proyecto terminado
Worker with pesticides
Switzerland supports the disposal of about 4,500 tonnes of toxic pesticides stored in Bulgarian warehouses. © SECO/DEZA

The project aims to support Bulgaria in the environmentally friendly disposal of several thousand tons of dangerous obsolete chemicals from the days of Communist rule and thereby removes a serious threat to public health and environment.

Región/País Tema Período Presupuesto
Bulgaria
Proteger el medio ambiente
Waste disposal
21.04.2015 - 07.12.2019
CHF 19'929'098

Note: the texts under all the headings, with the exception of 'Results achieved', describe the situation before the start of the project.

Contexto

As a relict of the socialist era, Bulgaria had about 14’000 tons of obsolete pesticides and other crop protection products, affecting more than 260 municipalities spread all over the territory. In earlier environmental programmes, financed and executed by the state Enterprise for Management of Environmental Protection Activities (EMEPA), a large part of these dangerous toxic substances were packed in hermetically closed concrete containers. The disposal of the remaining 4500 tons of obsolete pesticides was proposed to Switzerland as the highest national priority in the field of waste management.

Objetivos

The overall objective of the project is to help Bulgaria, and notably the numerous generally weak rural communities affected by the problem, get rid of several thousand tons of dangerous obsolete chemicals.

Grupos destinarios

The direct beneficiary is the Bulgarian government and its Enterprise for Management of the Environment Protection Activities (EMEPA), which will benefit from a budget relief.
The indirect beneficiaries will be 100 affected municipalities and their 2'258'728 inhabitants, whose economic and social conditions will be improved through the reduction of environmental risks and public health hazards.

Actividades

The project consists in the environmentally sound disposal of around 4500 tons of dangerous obsolete chemicals (pesticides and other crop protection products) presently stored in more than 200 sometimes derelict warehouses through the repackaging, transportation, export and final disposal through incineration in specialized facilities. The handling, transport and disposal of these pesticides, many of which are categorized as dangerous persistent organic pollutants (POPs), is strictly regulated by international treaties. Consequently the requirements for the handling and transportation of the pesticides along the whole chain until their final disposal are precisely defined and have to be followed exactly.

Resultados

Resultados obtenidos:  

by December 7th 2019

3752 tons of obsolete pesticides and other plant protection products were disposed by removing them from the warehouses, and transporting them to specialized incineration facilities. With this, a total of 65 warehouses were vacated. To fully achieve the project objective, Bulgaria is disposing the remaining 750 tons of obsolete pesticides at its own expense.


Dirección / Officina Federal responsable SECO
Crédito Contribución suiza a la ampliación de la UE
Contrapartes del proyecto Contraparte del contrato
  • «Central Coordination Unit» Directorate of the Council of Ministers and Bulgarian Ministry of Environment and Water

Contraparte de la implémentación
EMEPA (Enterprise for Management of the Environment Protection Activities)

Presupuesto Fase en curso Presupuesto suizo CHF   19'929'098 Presupuesto actual suizo ya emitido CHF   14'361'790
Fases del proyecto

Fase 10 21.04.2015 - 07.12.2019   (Completed)