Sofia Residents Turn in One Ton of Expired Medicines in Less Than a Month
Jerusalem, 17 February, 2026 (TPS-IL) -- Sofia (BTA) – The Sofia Municipality and SOpharmacy reported the collection of one ton of expired medicines in less than a month as part of a joint pilot initiative between January 15 and February 13 in five pharmacies in Sofia. This was announced by the press center of the municipal administration.
According to the Municipality, the amount represents approximately one-ninth of all over nine tons of old medications collected in 2025 and handed over for safe destruction. Mayor Vasil Terziev, quoted in the announcement, said that the result shows how changing citizens’ habits can lead to a significant effect in solving environmental problems.
Expired medicines are classified as hazardous waste. If improperly disposed of, their active substances can leach into the soil and water and have long-term impacts on people, animals and ecosystems. The municipality has already published a schedule of mobile hazardous waste collection points for the entire year 2026.
Deputy Mayor for Ecology Nadezhda Bobcheva pointed out that the interest in the campaign shows the willingness of citizens to actively participate when they are provided with real opportunities for responsible behavior.
On behalf of the partner in the initiative, the chain’s Operations Director Violeta Tsigova emphasized that pharmacies have an increasingly broad social role – both in health care and in awareness and environmental protection. According to her, other municipalities are already showing interest in similar campaigns.
The collected medications are handed over for destruction to a specialized company, Ecosafe, the Sofia Municipality said.
By the end of March, containers for expired medicines were placed in five Sofia pharmacies of the chain, including locations on Vitosha Blvd., in the Mall Paradise shopping center, in a Kaufland store on Dr. G. M. Dimitrov Blvd., as well as in the Ovcha Kupel and Nadezhda neighborhoods.
The Municipality reminds that only expired medications in their original packaging can be disposed of in the containers, and cosmetic products, medical sharps, mercury thermometers or electronic devices are not accepted. The initiators call on citizens to take advantage of the opportunities for safe disposal of old medications.
A record amount of 28,879 kilograms of hazardous waste was handed over by Sofia residents in 2025. This is over ten tons more than in 2024 (18,562 kg) and nearly three times more than the average annual amount for the period 2019 – 2023 (10,403 kg).
