The planned increase in the price of eco-taxes for recycling white and black appliances came into effect on July 1. The recycling organizations also state that the quantities for recycling have increased dramatically due to solar panels. The main question is whether this will lead to an increase in the price of home appliances, by how much and for how long, reports bTV.
In the last five days, the labels have remained unchanged due to stock levels.
According to traders, the change in prices will be felt by the end of the year. Importers and manufacturers are obliged to pay a recycling fee, which is then added to the final price. The new increase in the fee is expected to be between 7 and 10 times. The fee is per kilogram, so it is highest for refrigerators, washing machines and other heavier appliances.
“If, for example, the product is 1,500 leva and weighs 80 kg, the price may be 4-5% higher“, commented Emil Manolov, manager of an appliance store.
According to the business, customers will choose to buy appliances from Greece and Romania as a more profitable option. That is why they insist that the state reduce its fee, which is currently 1.55 leva per kilogram, and pay to it instead of to private companies.
“The role of the state is to control quantities, it does not control prices“, is the response of the Minister of Ecology Manol Genov.
The update of the fees is due to the volume of waste that must be collected and recycled, said one of the private companies.