Activity Report 2004

1. Achievement of recovery and recycling targets

In 2004 ECOPACK BULGARIA drew in the collective system for packaging waste recovery 125 companies - producers and importers of packed goods. Thus, the Organization took the obligation to recycle and recover 20% of the total packaging amount released on the market during this calendar year.

By 31.12.2004 the total packaging amount represented by ECOPACK BULGARIA is 62,113 tons. The Company has collected and recycled 14,936 tons of packaging waste, which is target achievement in the amount of 24%.

* Including:

- Composites - 2 307 ton/year
- Timber - 3 359 tons/year
- Others - 28 tons/years

2. Population coverage in systems for separate packaging waste collection

In 2004 we signed contracts with Smolyan Municipality (both for the town of Smolyan and Pamporovo resort) and Bansko Municipality for setting elements for separate packaging waste collection. The applied scheme was realized through colored containers - type IGLOO, volume 1.5 cub.m - which depending on the waste material are: blue container (paper packaging), yellow container (plastic and metal packaging), and green container (glass packaging).

We are in a process of preparation of schemes for separate packaging waste collection in the municipalities of Razgrad, Dupnitza and Razlog.

Proposals and draft contracts for organizing separate packaging waste collection have been sent to the municipalities of: Plovdiv, Varna, Bourgas, Stara Zagora, Pleven, Veliko Tarnovo, Blagoevgrad, Dobrich, Haskovo, Pazardjik, Rousse, Kazanlak, Sozopol, Montana, Rudozem, etc.

Since September 2004 we are in active negotiations with Sofia Municipality for organizing separate packaging waste collection in the city of Sofia. Our proposal includes design and implementation of a system for separate packaging waste collection in 12 out of 24 capital districts. Our expectations are that by mid April 2005 the parameters of this mutual activity will be clarified and the contract will be signed.

In parallel to our work with the municipalities, we are developing a program for construction/renewal of centers for separate waste collection. These centers will be concentrated in the regional cities as well as in several other towns with population more than 30,000 inhabitants. The program will be launched in 2005.

3. Measures for reduction of packaging waste generation

ECOPACK BULGARIA stimulates the implementation of measures for packaging waste prevention and the use of multiple utilization packaging by the members of the collective system. The decisions, of course, are taken independently by the member-companies.

The members of ECOPACK BULGARIA are leading companies in their respective market sectors, which possess the potential and the capabilities to realize in practice the newest world tendencies in the area of packaging optimization. Significant part of the member-companies uses multiple utilization packaging and has introduced in-house designed take-back systems. Some of the companies have developed and implement in-house designed programs for packaging waste prevention. ECOPACK BULGARIA promotes and disseminates these successful practices among its members.

The activities of ECOPACK BULGARIA for handing over the collected packaging waste to final processors ensure that the waste glass, plastic, paper and cardboard are entirely utilized into the production of packaging and packaging materials.

4. Measures to inform and attract the consumers in the implementation of separate packaging waste collection

ECOPACK BULGARIA launched communication and education campaigns to inform the consumers about the provided opportunities for separate waste collection and its benefits as well as educational programs targeted to the kindergartens and schools. These programs started first in the towns of Smolyan and Bansko and will be expanded to cover also the towns of Razgrad, Dupnitza and Razlog.

In 2004 we conducted the following explanatory campaigns and events:

• Media briefing and public information on the occasion of ECOPACK BULGARIA establishment - February 2004

• Media briefing on the occasion of receipt the first license for recovery organization issued to ECOPACK BULGARIA by the Ministry of Environment and Water - July 2004

• Advertising campaign in the newspapers for promotion of ECOPACK BULGARIA activities as packaging recovery organization - November 2004

• Advertising campaign in the newspapers for promotion of ECOPACK BULGARIA trade mark - December 2004

• Popular persuasion campaign in cooperation with Pamporovo 21 century Association among the managers and maintenance personnel in the hotels in Pamporovo resort before introduction the separate collection system - December 2004

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