Two Bulgarian start-up companies won EC awards for outstanding contribution towards protecting and improving the environment in the “blue” (water) category and the “green” category. The winner in the green category was awarded for its technology for degradation of agricultural waste. A Bulgarian company which developed a new system to monitor water pollution received the first prize in the “water” category. The European Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Karmenu Vella commented that Bulgaria’s success in these two categories means that this country is among the EU member states which actively contribute towards developing innovative programmes, ideas and projects for better environment.