The Bulgarian municipalities that agree to store some of the bales containing Sofia’s rubbish will be offered the chance to return them to the city when its new refuse processing plant is constructed, Deputy Environment Minister Chavdar Georgiev said in an interview with Bulgarian National Television.

The European Union has set the deadline of September 1 2008 for Sofia municipality to solve its refuse problems, by moving and making safe the baled refuse in the boroughs of Kremikovtzi and Gara Iskur. Georgiev said that if the bales were not moved on time, Bulgaria would have to pay a daily fine for the time that the refuse remained at the two unregulated platforms. He did not name an exact amount.

Sofia deputy mayor in charge of environment Maria Boyadjiiska confirmed that she was ready to sign contracts with all mayors who were afraid that they could experience similar refuse crises in the future, Bulgarian-language daily Dnevnik reported on August 27. Boyadjiiska agreed that their r refuse could be processed in the factory planned to be constructed in Sofia. The rubbish processing unit would start operating not later than 2011, she said.

Sofia municipality had previously sent a letter to the municipalities of Plovdiv, Sevlievo, Montana, Vratsa and Troyan, asking them to accept Sofia’s refuse. Plovdiv refused, while the Sevlievo mayor is currently considering Sofia’s proposal and is to answer by September 1.