Zero Waste Bulgaria - Essay Sample

Introduction

While the global gross domestic product (GDP) has tremendously increased between the 2012 and 2017 ("Global GDP 2010-2022", 2018), other research indicates that the rate of inequality and poverty has increased in some parts of the world. In those parts of the world, economists and social scientists have identified particular monetary-based corporate structures which can be utilized to not only solve certain social and environmental problems but also contribute significantly to the economies of those countries (Omrane, 2013). Waste is considered one of the major challenges being faced in major cities across the globe (Rajendran, Bjork, & Taherzadeh, 2013). In July 2005, the EU commission declared that landfill and incineration were the least favorable "end-of-pipe solutions" to managing waste yet the projects dealing with wastes are supported by funds from the World Bank, the European Investment Bank, the European Union, as well as other international financial institutions. The Central and Eastern European nations have declared seriousness when it comes to waste management that the venture presents a feasible and profitable business project or initiative (Zaman, 2012). The way it seems, it can comfortably be predicted that this would perpetuate an unsustainable approach of dealing with wastes problem in the coming years. Incineration and landfills have been considered the best ways to deal with wastes, but they have their considerable underpinnings which make the option unsustainable. That is why zero waste management technique presents a better option as it involves reuse, recycling as well as composting of wastes. Moreover, zero waste technique is much more environmental friendly than the incineration and landfills which have some undesirable ecological impacts such as air pollution. This paper presents a model of zero waste management project with a particular focus on the Bulgarian restaurant industry.

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Introduction to Zero Waste

Zero waste management refers to a system in which the recycling and the reuse of products are initiated and implemented, thereby reducing the amount of related waste that gets released into the environment from the above processes. Zero Waste could get defined as the conservation of all resources utilizing responsible production, consumption, reuse, and recovery of all products, packaging, and materials, without burning them, and without discharges to land, water, or air that threaten the environment or human health (Reichenbach, 2017). Environmental pollution has taken a considerable toll on the environment given that the increased release of toxic waste is at an ever-increasing rate. To ensure sustainability shortly, it is necessary to implement conservational measures. Global warming, air pollution, unrecycled waste, i.e., plastic materials and other forms of non-biodegradable waste are among the major threats that are faced when it comes to environmental pollution.

Fig. 1 Principles of an efficient, self-sustaining mechanism on waste management (2019)

Institutions have tried to decipher combative measures aimed at reducing the overall waste that gets emitted into the environment. There are various ways in which this could be achieved, including recycling of waste products, alternative packaging methods, reduce and reuse of some of the not so essential products among some other measures (Shekdar, 2009). But after researching Bulgaria, it was noted that the business premises which are responsible for the waste emission are not knowledgeable on how to manage their wastes to reduce the impact it has on the environment hence necessitating formation of an organization to offer consultancy on waste management. Environmental conservation is a collective social responsibility that could only get realized by every individual playing their collective social responsibility.

Zero-Waste for Bulgarian Restaurants

The hospitality industry, i.e., restaurants are one sector that sees the utilization of most raw material products in high volumes. These products could either be farm products either plant or animal. Upon the preparation of meals and other delicacies, there are a lot of waste products that are emitted as by-products in the food preparation procedures (Stoykova, 2006).

The project at hand entails the creation of a consultation enterprise that will be entitled "Zero Waste for Bulgarian Restaurants." It is aimed at implementing a conservational measure that will see to it that the amount of waste associated to restaurants is well recycled or reused thereby achieving of an almost zero waste program in the hospitality industry (Song & Zeng, 2015). Before the onset of the program, a pilot project has to be undertaken to determine the viability of the consulting firm. The restaurant of choice for the pilot project has been chosen to be the Honu Hawaiian BBQ in Sofia, Bulgaria. This restaurant has been identified as a suitable place for the application of the above procedure given that the restaurant has adopted new production methods that will be compatible with the intended zero waste project.

With the implementation of the above pilot program, it will be possible to develop combative measures that will enable the zero-waste management project to take root and see to it that the overall waste release from other restaurants is gradually reduced into substantial amounts that will not pose any threat to the environment. Among some of the reasons as to why the above restaurant was chosen for the project implementation was the fact that its location in Bulgaria's capital Sofia ensured that it would remain accessible to other interested parties who wish to join in the program. Other restaurants with interest of the Zero Waste program will visit Honu Hawaiian BBQ restaurant and observe the benefits of the program. Upon getting satisfied with the program, they will contact the management of "Zero Waste for Bulgarian Restaurants." Program to implement the same program in their restaurants.

Fig. 2 Zero-waste economy cycle (2019).

Waste management is an integral part of the current society given that there is a looming crisis of environmental degradation that has been primarily caused by toxic waste release into the environment. Projections show that by the year 2050 at the current rate, the Earth might not be able to sustain its current operations as a result of environmental pollution. To ensure that civilians do not come into terms with such harsh ecological aspects, it is necessary that environmental conservation measures get implemented providing that such pending crisis gets averted. Zero waste for Bulgarian Restaurants program will make sure this is achieved. Waste management is an essential measure that could help curb the environmental degradation that has led to a significant reduction in the aesthetic nature of the environment and restore the normal state of the contaminated lands.

Personal Attachment to the Topic

Ever since a young age, my love and enjoyment of life outdoors were unmatched. The fresh air in the small mountain town, encompassed with the cool afternoon breeze, was a sight that I always held with such awe since childhood. This, therefore, made me strive to be an environmental conservationist in the future when I was of age and make a significant impact on the various efforts that other environmentalists have taken up. In my junior and high school study years, I got actively engaged in various environmental campaigns and street cleaning activities that made me feel that I was making an impact on society. This tender connection to my conservationist side largely contributed to the choice of my master thesis area which allowed me to apply the skills that I have gained in class to practical, real-world problems. My endeavor is to take an active part in making the planet more habitable by reducing the amount of toxic waste that is being released continuously into our environment thereby endangering the biodiversity and also making the place less livable. By curbing the toxicity that is dumped carelessly every day, we will be moving a step closer towards achieving a green planet.

Methodology and Literature Review

Waste management in the developing nations has become an issue of significant apprehension given that it has been establishing that these nations are continually finding it harder to keep up with the developmental wave that is sweeping over globally. Poor sanitation as high levels of unemployment have all been attributed to the living standards that the civilians and individuals in these regions have been experiencing. In Bulgaria, the situation is not any different (Simon, 2013). The waste management initiatives in the area are quite demanding, and it, therefore, requires that measures get implemented that ensure the situation gets brought into control. In Bulgaria, various measures have been put in place in an attempt to curb the waste menace, but due to the unprofessional approach used, they have not been able to achieve the desired results.

Bulgaria Za Zemiata (For the Earth) is among the oldest non-governmental organization in Bulgaria which was formed to champion for a good living environment (Gershtenson et al.). This organization was formed in 1991 to champion for the following; utilization environmentally friendly sources of energy, zero waste, and food independence in Bulgaria, since the start of this organization, they have tried to reduce the level of waste released into the environment, but they have not been able to eradicate it. Mavitec Green Energy is another organization working on designing various methods to be used in recycling waste. The organization puts more emphasis on the organic wastes, and its activities are global. Mavitec Green Energy has incorporated various measures which ensures that the cost of controlling wastes have been reduced to a level which can be managed by everyone even those in developing countries. The society where the wastes have been obtained from can benefit from the green energy generated from the wastes (Green energy for green future). Before the transportation of the wastes, they are stored in a large tank; hence the hygiene is maintained. The cost of transporting wastes is reduced to a significant level; this is because wastes are first collected in large tanks which are then transported in bulk thus reducing the cost of transport. Mavitec Green Energy has specialized in the production of energy using the agricultural wastes; they choose to put more emphasis on organic wastes because of its ease in manipulation to produce energy.

Tana Oy is another globally operating company which was founded in 1971; its main objective is to design machines which will aid in solid waste control. This organization provides its services in more than 70 countries in different continents. Since its start, tana have aided several organizations in disposing of their wastes; this company offers services in landfilling practices, they have designed a landfill compactor whose work is to compact disposed wastes. In recycling, Tana, have a slow-speed shredder which trashes the waste into small particles which can easily be disposed of, their machines are equipped with modern technology which makes it possible to operate them with remote sensors. The remote sensing systems ensure that there is minimal contact between machine operators and waste. With the observation of these companies, Zero Waste for Bulgaria Restaurants system came into existence, and there is need to borrow some skills from these developed companies offering waste management services (Monkare, Palmroth and Rintala 468-475). More developed nations have successfully adopted waste management initiatives that have proven to work provided the required operational procedures are follo...