The Sofia Municipality has set aside 302,192,935 leva for cleaning and maintenance in 2025, marking a 6% increase from the previous year’s budget. This funding will support various municipal services, including the upkeep of public spaces such as schoolyards, kindergartens, health and social institutions, and cemetery parks.
Additionally, 24 million leva has been specifically allocated for the landscaping and maintenance of these public areas, highlighting the municipality’s commitment to maintaining a clean and well-kept environment.
One of the major components of the 2025 budget is the municipality’s investment in street cleaning. The plan includes eight scheduled street cleaning operations throughout the year, which are designed to improve the overall cleanliness of Sofia’s urban landscape.
In response to growing concerns about waste management, the budget also includes a significant technological upgrade with the introduction of a new system aimed at optimizing waste collection.
A sum of 1.5 million leva has been earmarked for this advanced waste management system, which will incorporate onboard computers, waste-weight sensors, GPS tracking, and an RDF (Radio Frequency Identification) antenna.
This technology will enable garbage trucks to recognize containers and track their routes more efficiently, reducing operational costs and improving the overall effectiveness of waste collection services across the city.
In addition to the waste collection upgrades, the municipality plans to invest 3.5 million leva in building dedicated sites for the separate collection of household waste.
These new facilities will allow for better sorting and recycling of waste, contributing to Sofia’s broader environmental goals.
To further support the city’s waste management infrastructure, 12.5 million leva will be invested into enhancing the operation of Sofia’s waste plant, which plays a crucial role in the processing of household and industrial waste.
While the municipality is focusing on cleaning and waste management, it has also ensured that the cost of waste services remains stable for residents.
The household waste fee for residential properties will remain unchanged at 1.6 per thousand in 2025, with no alterations to the criteria used for determining the fee.
This decision comes as part of the municipality’s efforts to balance the expansion of services with the need to keep costs manageable for the city’s residents.
The proposed budget, along with the plans for the upcoming year, is currently open for public consultation. Residents and stakeholders are encouraged to provide feedback on the proposed measures, with the deadline for submitting comments set for December 6, 2024.
The municipality has emphasized the importance of public input in shaping the future of Sofia’s waste management and urban cleanliness initiatives.
As Sofia continues to grow, these investments in cleaning, maintenance, and waste management are seen as key steps in improving the quality of life for residents while promoting sustainability in the city’s urban environment.
With these funds, Sofia is making strides towards creating a cleaner, greener, and more efficient urban space for all its inhabitants.