Waste generation and treatment (env_wasgt)

National Reference Metadata in ESS Standard for Quality Reports Structure (ESQRS)

Compiling agency: National Statistical Institute of Bulgaria


Eurostat metadata
Reference metadata
1. Contact
2. Statistical presentation
3. Statistical processing
4. Quality management
5. Relevance
6. Accuracy and reliability
7. Timeliness and punctuality
8. Coherence and comparability
9. Accessibility and clarity
10. Cost and Burden
11. Confidentiality
12. Comment
Related Metadata
Annexes (including footnotes)
 



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1. Contact Top
1.1. Contact organisation

National Statistical Institute of Bulgaria
1.2. Contact organisation unit

Environment and energy accounts
1.5. Contact mail address

2, Panayot Volov st. 1038 Sofia, Bulgaria


2. Statistical presentation Top
2.1. Data description

Waste generated

Treated waste

Number and capacity of landfills

Number and capacity of incineration and recycling plants
2.2. Classification system

Not available.
New concept added with the migration to SIMS 2.0.
Information (content) will be available after the next collection.
2.3. Coverage - sector

All NACE sectors and households
2.4. Statistical concepts and definitions

Tonnes of waste, Number of installations and landfills, Capacity of installations and landfills
2.5. Statistical unit

Enterprises and households
2.6. Statistical population

All enterprises over 10 employees and households
2.7. Reference area

All enterprises over 10 employees and households
2.8. Coverage - Time

2004-2020
2.9. Base period

2004


3. Statistical processing Top
3.1. Source data

Assessment of the continuity of the data source, e.g. legal basis for the data source:

The data source for non-hazardous wastes generation and treatment in sectors 1 is a statistical survey (in some economic activities comprehensive from register of ExEA, in others - sample survey). The survey is based on the Statistical Register and covers the units by the income.

The data source for non-hazardous waste generation and treatment in sectors 2-18 is a statistical survey (in some economic activities comprehensive from register of ExEA, in others - sample survey). The survey is based on the Statistical Register and covers the units with more than 10 employees.

The data source for hazardous waste generation and treatment is the administrative register of the Executive Environmental Agency (ExEA).

Data on municipal waste generation and treatment is collected by an exhaustive survey covering all municipalities and survey about origin of recyclable waste from of ExEA.

For data on the number and capacity of treatment facilities the administrative register of the ExEA is the data source.

In case where no primary data are available, statistical estimations are used.

Data set 1: Waste generation by waste category (EWC-STAT) and economic activities (NACE)
General description of methodology
The agricultural non-hazardous wastes are studied by a sample survey. The sample(s) is based on a list of enterprises from the Statistical Register and comprehensive from register of ExEA. . The studied population includes enterprises having revenues for the previous year, with more than 10 employees. The population is divided by economic activities as required for reporting:

The questionnaires used for the survey are based on the LoW, officially adopted by Ministry of Environment and Waters. For the purposes of the reporting tables a linkage between European List of Waste and EWC-Stat categories is made.
The questionnaires have been sent to the enterprises and after their completion returned to the Regional Statistical Offices. Data have been checked and aggregated in a database. The received back in NSI data files have been processed by statistical methods on order to obtain the final results.

The industrial non-hazardous wastes are studied by a sample survey. The sample(s) is based on a list of enterprises from the Statistical Register and comprehensive from register of ExEA. The studied population includes enterprises having revenues for the previous year, with more than 10 employees. The population is divided by economic activities as required for reporting:
The questionnaires used for the survey are based on the LoW, officially adopted by Ministry of Environment and Waters. For the purposes of the reporting tables a linkage between European List of Waste and EWC-Stat categories is made.
Sampling is used in the case of economic activities covering more than 1200 enterprises, while all other are surveyed comprehensively from register of ExEA. The selected list of enterprises has been sent to the Regional Statistical Offices. The questionnaires have been sent to the enterprises and after their completion returned to the Regional Statistical Offices. Data have been checked and aggregated in a database. The received back in NSI data files have been processed by statistical methods on order to obtain the final results.
3.2. Frequency of data collection

Annual.
3.3. Data collection

Data collection with questionnaire and information of ExEA

Assessment of the continuity of the data source, e.g. legal basis for the data source:

The data source for non-hazardous wastes generation and treatment in sectors 1 is a statistical survey (in some economic activities comprehensive from register of ExEA, in others - sample survey). The survey is based on the Statistical Register and covers the units with more than 10 employees.

The data source for non-hazardous waste generation and treatment in sectors 2-18 is a statistical survey (in some economic activities comprehensive from register of ExEA, in others - sample survey). The survey is based on the Statistical Register and covers the units with more than 10 employees.

The data source for hazardous waste generation and treatment is the administrative register of the Executive Environmental Agency (ExEA).

Data on municipal waste generation and treatment is collected by an exhaustive survey covering all municipalities and survey about origin of recyclable waste from of ExEA.

For data on the number and capacity of treatment facilities the administrative register of the ExEA is the data source.

In case where no primary data are available, statistical estimations are used.
3.4. Data validation

The answers to the questions are in the annex



Annexes:
ANNEX
3.5. Data compilation

Assessment of the continuity of the data source, e.g. legal basis for the data source:

The data source for non-hazardous wastes generation and treatment in sectors 1 is a statistical survey (in some economic activities comprehensive from register of ExEA, in others - sample survey). The survey is based on the Statistical Register and covers the units by the income.

The data source for non-hazardous waste generation and treatment in sectors 2-18 is a statistical survey (in some economic activities comprehensive from register of ExEA, in others - sample survey). The survey is based on the Statistical Register and covers the units with more than 10 employees.

The data source for hazardous waste generation and treatment is the administrative register of the Executive Environmental Agency (ExEA).

Data on municipal waste generation and treatment is collected by an exhaustive survey covering all municipalities and survey about origin of recyclable waste from of ExEA.

For data on the number and capacity of treatment facilities the administrative register of the ExEA is the data source.

In case where no primary data are available, statistical estimations are used.
3.6. Adjustment

No available.


4. Quality management Top
4.1. Quality assurance

Not available. New concept added with the migration to SIMS 2.0. Information (content) will be available after the next collection.
4.2. Quality management - assessment

Not requested.


5. Relevance Top

The data are published in an annual statistical publication and are used by the Executive Environment Agency for the purpose of waste management planning, and by the Ministry of Environment and Waters to produce the annual report to the Parliament.
5.1. Relevance - User Needs

The data are published in an annual statistical publication and are used by the Executive Environment Agency for the purpose of waste management planning, and by the Ministry of Environment and Waters to produce the annual report to the Parliament.
5.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction

The data are published in an annual statistical publication and are used by the Executive Environment Agency for the purpose of waste management planning, and by the Ministry of Environment and Waters to produce the annual report to the Parliament.
5.3. Completeness

According to the methodology, there are no missing data.
5.3.1. Data completeness - rate

The data are published in an annual statistical publication and used by the Executive Environment Agency for the purpose of waste management planning, and by the Ministry of Environment and Water to produce the annual report to the Parliament.

According to the methodology, there is no missing data.


6. Accuracy and reliability Top
6.1. Accuracy - overall

Because of the rather low response rate the coefficients of variation are not calculated. Non-sampling error are described below.



Annexes:
Anex I
Anex II
6.2. Sampling error

Because of the rather low response rate the coefficients of variation are not calculated.
6.2.1. Sampling error - indicators

Because of the rather low response rate the coefficients of variation are not calculated.
6.3. Non-sampling error

 Coverage errors

 For Annex I on waste generation: description of the method(s) applied to reach 100% coverage;

  • Concerning non-hazardous waste other than municipal waste, it was tried to achieve 100% coverage by selecting a representative sample from all economic sectors that means coverage of sectors A, C-Q. Enterprises with less than 10 employees are not covered by the survey because in Bulgaria it is expected that their waste is collected by the municipal waste collection service. By using an estimation method as described in Part 1, the amount of mixed waste generated by the service sector is estimated.
  • Concerning hazardous waste, there should be 100% coverage as there is a legal obligation to report the generation and treatment of hazardous waste to the ExEA. Nevertheless it has to be taken into account that this specific reporting obligation came into force only in 2006, which might have had a diminishing effect on the coverage in practice.

 For Annex II on waste treatment: description of the waste treatment facilities, which are excluded from reporting and the reason for their exclusion; 

  • All waste disposal facilities are legally obliged to report to the ExEA.
  •  Description of how the amount of commercial waste from enterprises/shops included in household waste is assessed; what method is used to estimate pure household waste;
  • Description of the main problems of misclassification, under-coverage and over-coverage encountered in collecting the data
  • Though there were some drawbacks in data collection, especially concerning the low response rate, problems in misclassification, under-coverage or over-coverage could not be identified.

 Measurement errors

  • Which statistical units are applied in which part of the data set?

 The statistical unit used for the sample survey is the enterprise.

 Errors in precision of quantities:

In 2020, there was comparatively little weighing of waste. Not all waste disposal facilities were equipped with weighing equipment. Therefore, to a large extent the amount of waste is estimated, based on common assumptions of amount of waste per container or amount of waste per volume. This measurement error cannot be quantified.

 A description of the information quality of the data collection:

 The questionnaire was validated in a focus group of experts from the ExEA and NSI.

 Processing errors 

 The questionnaires were sent out by the Regional Statistical Offices to the enterprises. A deadline was set for the return of the questionnaires. The data were entered by the Regional Statistical Offices and the files containing the raw data were sent to NSI. There was an arithmetic control and logical control of the data, e.g. plausibility check based on amount of waste/employee. An extension of the sample data was made using the statistical methods described in part 1 of this report.

 Non-response errors 

  • Response rate at the level of the key aggregates: 57%

 Model assumption errors 

 Not applicable
6.3.1. Coverage error
  • For Annex I on waste generation: description of the method(s) applied to reach 100% coverage;
  • Concerning non-hazardous waste other than municipal waste, it was tried to achieve 100% coverage by selecting a representative sample from all economic sectors that means coverage of sectors A, C-Q. Enterprises with less than 10 employees are not covered by the survey because in Bulgaria it is expected that their waste is collected by the municipal waste collection service. By using an estimation method as described in Part 1, the amount of mixed waste generated by the service sector is estimated.
  • Concerning hazardous waste, there should be 100% coverage as there is a legal obligation to report the generation and treatment of hazardous waste to the ExEA. Nevertheless it has to be taken into account that this specific reporting obligation came into force only in 2006, which might have had a diminishing effect on the coverage in practice.
  • For Annex II on waste treatment: description of the waste treatment facilities, which are excluded from reporting and the reason for their exclusion;
  • All waste disposal facilities are legally obliged to report to the ExEA.
  • Description of how the amount of commercial waste from enterprises/shops included in household waste is assessed; what method is used to estimate pure household waste;
  • Description of the main problems of misclassification, under-coverage and over-coverage encountered in collecting the data.
  • Though there were some drawbacks in data collection, especially concerning the low response rate, problems in misclassification, under-coverage or over-coverage could not be identified.
6.3.1.1. Over-coverage - rate
  • For Annex I on waste generation: description of the method(s) applied to reach 100% coverage;
  •  Concerning non-hazardous waste other than municipal waste, it was tried to achieve 100% coverage by selecting a representative sample from all economic sectors that means coverage of sectors A, C-Q. Enterprises with less than 10 employees are not covered by the survey because in Bulgaria it is expected that their waste is collected by the municipal waste collection service. By using an estimation method as described in Part 1, the amount of mixed waste generated by the service sector is estimated.
  •  Concerning hazardous waste, there should be 100% coverage as there is a legal obligation to report the generation and treatment of hazardous waste to the ExEA. Nevertheless it has to be taken into account that this specific reporting obligation came into force only in 2006, which might have had a diminishing effect on the coverage in practice.
  •  For Annex II on waste treatment: description of the waste treatment facilities, which are excluded from reporting and the reason for their exclusion;
  •  All waste disposal facilities are legally obliged to report to the ExEA.
  •  Description of how the amount of commercial waste from enterprises/shops included in household waste is assessed; what method is used to estimate pure household waste;
  •  Description of the main problems of misclassification, under-coverage and over-coverage encountered in collecting the data.
  •  Though there were some drawbacks in data collection, especially concerning the low response rate, problems in misclassification, under-coverage or over-coverage could not be identified.
6.3.1.2. Common units - proportion
  • Summary of the processing steps between collection and production of statistics, including measures to detect and rectify processing errors;
  • The questionnaires were sent out by the Regional Statistical Offices to the enterprises. A deadline was set for the return of the questionnaires. The data were entered by the Regional Statistical Offices and the files containing the raw data were sent to NSI. There was an arithmetic control and logical control of the data, e.g. plausibility check based on amount of waste/employee. An extension of the sample data was made using the statistical methods described in part 1 of this report.
6.3.2. Measurement error
  • Which statistical units are applied in which part of the data set?

 The statistical unit used for the sample survey is the enterprise.

  •  Errors in precision of quantities:

In 2016, there was comparatively little weighing of waste. Not all waste disposal facilities were equipped with weighing equipment. Therefore, to a large extent the amount of waste is estimated, based on common assumptions of amount of waste per container or amount of waste per volume. This measurement error cannot be quantified.

  • A description of the information quality of the data collection:

 The questionnaire was validated in a focus group of experts from the ExEA and NSI.
6.3.3. Non response error

Response rate at the level of the key aggregates: 67%
6.3.3.1. Unit non-response - rate

The survey was of mixed type and is not calculated response rate.
6.3.3.2. Item non-response - rate

The survey was of mixed type and is not calculated response rate.
6.3.4. Processing error

Summary of the processing steps between collection and production of statistics, including measures to detect and rectify processing errors; The questionnaires were sent out by the Regional Statistical Offices to the enterprises. A deadline was set for the return of the questionnaires.

The data were entered by the Regional Statistical Offices and the files containing the raw data were sent to NSI. There was an arithmetic control and logical control of the data, e.g. plausibility check based on amount of waste/employee. An extension of the sample data was made using the statistical methods described in part 1 of this report.
6.3.4.1. Imputation - rate
  • Summary of the processing steps between collection and production of statistics, including measures to detect and rectify processing errors;
  • The questionnaires were sent out by the Regional Statistical Offices to the enterprises. A deadline was set for the return of the questionnaires. The data were entered by the Regional Statistical Offices and the files containing the raw data were sent to NSI. There was an arithmetic control and logical control of the data, e.g. plausibility check based on amount of waste/employee. An extension of the sample data was made using the statistical methods described in part 1 of this report. 
6.3.5. Model assumption error

Not applicable.
6.4. Seasonal adjustment

Not applicable.
6.5. Data revision - policy

Not applicable.
6.6. Data revision - practice

No available.
6.6.1. Data revision - average size

No available.


7. Timeliness and punctuality Top
7.1. Timeliness

The data collection process started March 2021 and finished in May 2021.

Data processing took place from May 2021 to December 2021
7.1.1. Time lag - first result

The data collection process started March 2021 and finished in May 2021.

Data processing took place from May 2021 to December 2021.
7.1.2. Time lag - final result

Data processing took place from May 2021 to December 2021.
7.2. Punctuality

The data on waste are published in the Environmental Statistical Publications according to national rules
7.2.1. Punctuality - delivery and publication

The data on waste are published in the Environmental Statistical Publications according to national rules


8. Coherence and comparability Top
8.1. Comparability - geographical

 

Name of
classification(s) used

Description of the classification(s)
(in particular compatibility with WStatR requirements)

Economic activities

NACE rev 2

 

Waste types

European List of Waste

For the purposes of the reporting tables a linkage between European List of Waste and EWC-Stat categories is made

Recovery and treatment operations

R&D codes

Nomenclature of disposal activities acc. Art. 8 of Additional regulations of Wastes Management Law ‘State Gazette’, No. 86/30.09.2003

Nomenclature of recovery activities acc. Art. 17 of Additional regulations of Wastes Management Law ‘State Gazette’, No. 86/30.09.2003

As for the reference year 2020 there was only one data source for waste data (as described in this report), coherence of data was not a problem.

  • In order to assess the comparability between national data generated using different methodologies, it is necessary for the impact of restrictions with regard to coverage and precision of the data to be clarified (based on elements of accuracy above);
  • Comparability over time: both changes relative to the previous reference period and anticipated changes in the next reference period should be reported. Details of changes in definitions, coverage or methods should be specified (refer to Part I). An evaluation of the consequences should be carried out.

 There are some methodological changes but data are comparable with those for previous years.
8.1.1. Asymmetry for mirror flow statistics - coefficient

No  available.
8.2. Comparability - over time
  • In order to assess the comparability between national data generated using different methodologies, it is necessary for the impact of restrictions with regard to coverage and precision of the data to be clarified (based on elements of accuracy above);
  • Comparability over time: both changes relative to the previous reference period and anticipated changes in the next reference period should be reported. Details of changes in definitions, coverage or methods should be specified (refer to Part I). An evaluation of the consequences should be carried out.

There are some methodological changes but data are comparable with those for previous years.
8.2.1. Length of comparable time series

There are some methodological changes but data are comparable with those for previous years (2004-2018).
8.3. Coherence - cross domain

As for the reference year 2020 there was only one data source for waste data (as described in this report), coherence of data was not a problem.
8.4. Coherence - sub annual and annual statistics

Only annual statistics.
8.5. Coherence - National Accounts

No availlable.
8.6. Coherence - internal

As for the reference year 2020 there was only one data source for waste data (as described in this report), coherence of data was not a problem.


9. Accessibility and clarity Top
9.1. Dissemination format - News release

Waste statistics are disseminated according to the existing practice of disseminating and publishing statistics. The confidentiality policy is based on the Law on Statistics (Article 25, 26, 27).

NSI website

 
9.2. Dissemination format - Publications

NSI website
9.3. Dissemination format - online database

NSI website
9.3.1. Data tables - consultations

NSI website
9.4. Dissemination format - microdata access

NSI website
9.5. Dissemination format - other

No.
9.6. Documentation on methodology

NSI website
9.7. Quality management - documentation

Quality report.
9.7.1. Metadata completeness - rate

NSI website
9.7.2. Metadata - consultations

NSI website


10. Cost and Burden Top

The burden on respondents could not be quantified. Surveys on waste generation have a long tradition in Bulgaria, but the burden has increased because more detailed information was requested (e.g. waste classification according LoW). Additionally, the sample in the 2020 survey was smaller than in previous years, thus decreasing the burden.

The following table may be used for this purpose.


11. Confidentiality Top

 
11.1. Confidentiality - policy

No confidentiality.
11.2. Confidentiality - data treatment

No confidentiality.


12. Comment Top

No further comments.


Related metadata Top


Annexes Top
ANNEXS