22 Jun 2026
The Municipality of Stara Zagora took an active part in the fourth edition of Bedechka Fest “Na Zeleno”, held from 19 to 21 June in the city’s iconic Bedechka Park. The festival brought together hundreds of residents, families and nature lovers in support of a cleaner, greener urban environment.
On 20 June, Rositsa Raykova, Head of the Department of Investments, Energy Efficiency and Green Transition at the Municipality of Stara Zagora, joined colleagues from the Department of Ecology, Landscaping and Forests to meet residents and present opportunities for more sustainable waste management.
During the meeting, Ms Raykova presented the TEXAD project and highlighted the importance of separately collecting textile waste, storing it correctly, and enabling its reuse and recycling. Visitors learned about the development of Stara Zagora’s separate textile collection system through an engaging and accessible presentation by young Krum. He explained that between 2018 and 2025, the number of dedicated textile waste containers increased by nearly 78%, while the number of collection locations grew by more than 62%. Even more impressive was the increase in the amount of textiles collected, from just over 40 tonnes in 2018 to more than 146 tonnes in 2025.
In her address, Ms Raykova emphasised that protecting the environment is the responsibility of all generations, but children are the strongest ambassadors for change. “When children understand why we need to protect nature and what we can do today to reduce waste, we can be confident that our efforts will have a lasting impact. Our task is to give them the knowledge and set the example they need,” she said. She added that Bedechka Fest is an ideal setting for this conversation, as the festival itself promotes sustainable living and care for nature.
The event also provided an opportunity to announce that the Municipality of Stara Zagora had received approval from the European Commission for funding a pilot initiative under the TEXAD project. The initiative will equip a dedicated space for practical training, where residents can learn how to repair and care for clothing. Its aim is to extend the lifespan of textile products and give clothes a “second chance” rather than allowing them to become waste. The pilot initiative will be implemented during the project’s lifetime.
Residents were also introduced to Wear&Share, an initiative that the Municipality of Stara Zagora will develop in cooperation with project stakeholders. Through a dedicated application, users will be able to send and share clothing they no longer use free of charge, encouraging reuse and the circular economy at the local level.
Maria Vasileva and Maya Todorova, representatives of the Department of Ecology, Landscaping and Forests, presented the municipality’s waste management policy. They explained how residents can hand over different types of waste at the collection site for separately collected household waste and answered numerous questions about construction waste, end-of-life tyres, medicines, electrical appliances and other specific waste streams.
The municipality’s presentation attracted considerable interest from residents. The festival organisers confirmed their intention to continue this format next year, providing further opportunities for institutions, experts and residents to meet and discuss sustainable development and environmental protection.
The TEXAD project—Enhancing Circularity Solutions for Textile Waste in European Municipalities—is funded under the Interreg Europe Programme 2021–2027. Its total budget is EUR 1.43 million.
The project aims to improve policy instruments in European municipalities by strengthening textile waste management and aligning them with the requirements of new EU regulations. Specifically, it addresses waste prevention, separate collection, logistics, sorting and smart waste technologies.
The project runs for 48 months, comprising a 36-month core phase and a 12-month follow-up phase.
