Large-scale logging, lack of forestation initiatives, arsons, air pollution, illegal dung-hills and lack of environmentally-friendly consciousness are among the most-serious environmental problems in Bulgaria, a public opinion survey about the state of the environment in that country shows. The survey was carried out by EXACTA sociological agency at the order of the 2014-2020 Environment Operational Programme, Bulgaria’s Ministry of Environment and Water informs. 36.4% of the surveyed Bulgarians said they refrained from using plastic bags and over 37% of the polled nationals said they were trying to avoid using plastic bottles, plates, cups, etc. 

The survey was done before the start of the Environment Ministry’s educational campaign named It is Cool to be Eco-Friendly aimed at popularizing the measures for cleaner environment, fulfilled under the new Environment OP. 58.5% of the surveyed Bulgarians said they walk more, in order to contribute to the reduction of the air pollution and 15.8% said they changed their cars for bicycles. The survey further shows that 49.7% of the Bulgarians said that the problems with the polluted areas in Bulgaria are mainly due to the lack of environmentally-friendly culture.