Cyprus will pay dearly for its waste management

 

Statement by the Head of the Energy and Environment Bureau of the C.C. of AKEL Christina Nikolaou on the warning letters from the European Commission

3 December 2021, AKEL C.C. Press Office, Nicosia

The EU’s shaming of Cyprus seems to have no end, since just yesterday the European Commission sent us warning letters on the issues relating to proper waste management and implementation of maritime spatial planning.

Since 2015, the EU has warned Cyprus about the fact that 21% of the total amount of waste generated is disposed of without any pre-treatment, especially in the district of Paphos. The government is responsible for the fact that Cyprus has not elaborated a comprehensive and adequate network of waste management facilities for mixed municipal waste is unacceptable and not in line with European directives.

The Landfill Directive sets standards for landfill areas in order to prevent adverse effects on human health, water, soil and air.  If the state does not reply within 2 months on what it will do, then the European Commission will subsequently proceed with the procedures against Cyprus.

AKEL has pointed out countless times that the cancellation of the comprehensive strategic planning that existed for waste management, since 2011, leads us with mathematical certainty to past actions such as landfilling of solid waste – a practice which is illegal and environmentally harmful.

We call on the government once again to assume its responsibilities immediately and to proceed with substantive measures to solve the problem. The competent Ministry must proceed to the planning of modern plants with comprehensive systems for the sorting, but also the utilisation of organic material for the production of energy. These plants should serve the needs of the people, who are paying the price for the government’s indifference. The fines handed down regarding waste management are huge; the fines from pollutants are enough.