Bulgaria’s glass packaging value chain came together in Sofia on 16 September 2026 to establish Close the Glass Loop Bulgaria, a national platform aimed at accelerating glass collection and recycling across the country.
The initiative was launched during the international workshop “Towards a Close the Glass Loop Action Plan for Bulgaria”, co-organised by Close the Glass Loop, ECOBULPACK Bulgaria and BA Glass Bulgaria. More than 50 experts and decision-makers from across the glass packaging value chain attended the event.
Representatives from Extended Producer Responsibility organisations, glass manufacturers and recyclers, waste management companies, municipalities, brands and fillers discussed key challenges affecting Bulgaria’s glass recycling system. Priorities identified during the workshop included expanding and optimising separate collection, strengthening cooperation between municipalities and EPR organisations, improving monitoring and data collection, and increasing public participation.
Participants also examined opportunities to increase glass collection from the hospitality sector and discussed the implications of new European packaging legislation. European experiences and best practices were shared as potential models for improving Bulgaria’s collection and recycling infrastructure. 
The Sofia workshop marked the establishment of Close the Glass Loop Bulgaria, which will now work towards developing a national Close the Glass Loop Action Plan. The plan is expected to define priorities and concrete measures for improving glass collection and recycling performance.
Source: CGLB with additional information added by Glass Balkan
