Filenews 29 July 2022 - by Angelos Nicolaou
The management of municipal waste is one of the biggest challenges faced by the Republic of Cyprus, given the high level of municipal waste generated per inhabitant per year and the comparatively low recycling rates in relation to the high EU targets. Cyprus faces the challenge of designing and implementing a Municipal Waste Management Plan to shift the centre of gravity, from the landfilling of waste, to the main management method, towards the development of a circular economy with efficient use of waste as a resource.
In this context, the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment has prepared the new Municipal Waste Management Plan (SDS) 2022-2028, which includes the description of the sources and types of municipal waste, the fields of application, the resources, the obligations to the EU, the current situation in waste management in Cyprus, the targets to be achieved, as well as the measures to be implemented in order to achieve these objectives. At the same time, the framework of the actions and specific measures that will be implemented in the next six years in the field of municipal waste management is determined. The 2022-2028 SDS lays the foundations for an integrated approach to waste management, based on the principles of the circular economy, which is in line with the objectives of the European Green Deal, which aims to adopt a new ambitious and long-term strategic framework for the circular economy, while contributing, through the rational management of waste, to the reduction of greenhouse gases produced by waste and its landfilling.
The 2022 – 2028 SDS sets out further measures, actions and procedures required for the sustainable management of waste and the transition of Cyprus to a zero-waste economy. It aims to fulfil Cyprus' obligations under Article 28 of Directive 98/2008/EC on waste, which sets out the waste management framework and covers the period 2022-2028.
The revision of the SDS was overseen by the European Union Network for the Implementation and Enforcement of Environmental Law (IMPEL) and funded by the European Union's Structural Reform Support Programme (SRSS), as part of the provision of Technical Assistance.
The revised SDS was completed and submitted on behalf of the SRSS on 21 December 2021. It was then put to public consultation and the comments submitted were taken into account for the formulation of the final text. The final text was presented to the Waste Management Advisory Committee (SEDA) for the receipt of final views and the assent of the Committee, before its submission to the Council of Ministers.
For the SDS, a Strategic Impact Assessment Study is being prepared, which will be completed within days and will be submitted for evaluation by the Environmental Impact Assessment Committee from Plans and / or Programs and the issuance of a relevant Opinion by the Environmental Authority. Also, as far as mixed waste management is concerned, the SDS does not provide for the construction of new OEDA but for the upgrading of the two existing units.
The SMP includes measures in the following areas:
(a) Reduction of waste generation.
(b) Promoting re-use and preparing for re-use.
(c) Strengthening the separate collection of municipal waste.
(d) Strengthening extended producer responsibility schemes.
(e) Upgrading of waste management infrastructure:
>> Infrastructure for the management of recyclable waste.
>> Infrastructure for the management of organic waste from separate collection.
>> Infrastructure for the management of organic waste at the OEDA of Koshi and Pentakomou.
>> Infrastructure for energy recovery from waste.
>> Legislative measures (extension of extended producer responsibility, separate collection, end-of-waste end-of-waste, etc.).
>> Financial measures and tools (landfill tax, guarantee systems, pay systems 'As I throw', etc.).
>> Improve the collection and processing of waste data.
>> Strengthening inspections and enforcement measures of the relevant legislation.
>> Strengthening the administrative capacity of those involved (intermediate body between central and local government, etc.).
>> Information and awareness raising.
The passion to become a lesson
Regarding the management of mixed waste, the Municipal Waste Action Plan does not provide for the construction of new OEDA but for the upgrading of the two existing units. However, there is concern about the implementation of objectives and measures of the Strategy due to the malfunctioning of the Pentakomou OEDA and the Landfill in the Limassol-Paphos region. The new Strategy foresees an upgrade of the Pentakomou OEDA, with the aim of accepting the mixed waste and the District of Paphos and the management of organic waste collected separately from the District of Limassol. Let us hope that this time the government does not press it again and that we do not hear rave statements during the ratification of the project about the very low offer given for the receipt of household waste.
