The Circular Economy in Sofia, Bulgaria

Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, is the country’s largest city and a key economic hub. In recent years, municipal waste production has increased; however, the construction of three waste treatment facilities has significantly reduced landfilling. Circular principles have been partially integrated into key municipal frameworks, such as the Sofia Vision 2050 and the Sofia Waste Management Programme (WMP), while the Clean&Circle Centre for Competence serves as a research hub for circular innovation. Nevertheless, Sofia faces significant governance challenges in advancing its circular economy agenda. These include a lack of measurable targets, an overemphasis on waste management rather than a holistic circular approach and limited financial incentives for businesses. This scan provides policy recommendations for accelerating the circular transition drawing on the OECD 3Ps framework—People and Firms, Policies, and Places.