Building waste management in Bulgaria: challenges and opportunities
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 30, 2026

The Effect of Construction and Demolition Waste Plastic Fractions on Wood-Polymer Composite Properties
Published on: June 7, 2020
R Hadjieva-Zaharieva1, E Dimitrova, François Buyle-Bodin
1Building Materials and Insulation Department, The University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy of Sofia, Blvd Christo Smirnenski 1, 1046, Sofia, Bulgaria.
Abstract:
Building waste recycling as aggregates is a modern approach for preventing environmental pollution through both reducing the stocks of waste and decreasing the use of natural aggregates. The reuse of building waste is a relatively new issue for Bulgaria despite the existing considerable quantity of building waste and the significant changes in the environmental rules applied. The paper discusses generated and potential waste streams in Bulgaria in the context of the social and economic restructuring and recent urban development undergone by the country. The main preliminary conditions for developing the recycling activity such as: streams of building waste, experience in recycling, technical and environmental standardization, appropriate technologies, etc. are examined. The authors analyze current practice and research activities with regard to the implementation of advanced EU building-waste recycling methods. Conclusions are drawn about existing opportunities and the priorities of the needed building waste management strategy in the country.
Related Concept Videos
Reinforced Brick Masonry
To fortify brick walls...
Design Example: Sustainability in Concrete Building
There are multiple approaches to achieve sustainability in a commercial concrete building. For instance, construct a concrete parking area under the building, utilizing pervious concrete paver blocks in open areas to facilitate rainwater collection through an underground cistern.
Design Example: Managing Concrete Workability
To address...
Posttensioned Masonry Walls
Post-tensioned masonry walls use high-strength steel rods or flexible tendons to enhance the strength and efficiency of masonry structures. These elements are securely anchored to the foundation and extend vertically either within the cores of the masonry units or between the masonry wythes. The construction process involves building the wall with these tensioning elements in place and allowing the mortar to fully cure.
Following the curing process, the tensioning begins. Steel rods are...
Masonry Loadbearing Walls
Quarrying of Stone
One common method involves using a diamond belt saw to cut large blocks from the quarry face. These blocks can be about 50 feet long and 12 feet high. After the initial vertical cut, drilling is performed at the base of the block.
