Filenews 11 November 2022 - by Angelos Nicolaou
A new waste prevention program 2022-2028 has been prepared by the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment which includes a definition of the strategic principles governing the program, the scope and factors to be taken into account, the available resources, the EU obligations, the current situation and forecasts for waste generation in Cyprus, the targets to be achieved, as well as the measures to be implemented to prevent waste. The programme sets out the framework for the actions and measures to be implemented over the next six years with a view to waste prevention.
These include horizontal measures relating to the prevention, re-use and improvement of the design of products and services, but also measures focusing on priority areas, namely food, construction, textiles, plastics and electrical and electronic equipment.
The programme, which has been put to public consultation until 5 December by the Department of Environment, was prepared to achieve the ambitious targets adopted at European level in the context of the transition to the circular economy.
The Program includes in particular:
1. Waste prevention measures
2. Reuse, repair and reconstruction measures
3. Measures to improve product design
4. Measures to strengthen extended producer responsibility
5. Administrative and financial measures
6. Information and awareness-raising measures.
At the same time, it defines measures targeting the following priority areas:
1. Tourism
2. Construction sector
3. Reducing food waste
4. Textiles
5. Plastic items
6. Electrical and electronic equipment.
With one of the highest per capita waste production rates in Europe, reducing the total municipal waste generated is one of the biggest challenges for the Republic of Cyprus, as the transition to the circular economy, sustainability and preservation of the planet's resources are currently of paramount importance. In Cyprus, the priority in the waste management sector to date has been the closure and rehabilitation of uncontrolled landfills, along with rational waste management. This has necessarily diverted resources away from any systematic waste minimisation and prevention initiatives. This has led to underperformance in relation to the EU's waste targets and to a disproportionately high per capita rate of waste generation.
Cyprus generates 609 kg of municipal waste per capita per year, which is much higher than the EU average of 505 kg. Although tourism is an important factor for waste generation in Cyprus, an integrated approach to the management of all municipal waste throughout the Republic of Cyprus covering its prevention, reuse, separate collection, recycling and rational disposal needs to be implemented.
The measures for maintaining the waste management hierarchy are divided into 11 sections and concern 1) waste prevention / reduction measures. 2) Repair and reuse / prepare for reuse. 3) Improving product design. 4) Prevention in priority areas and waste streams (a) Tourism (b) Excavation, construction and demolition waste (ECDW), (c) Organic/ food waste, (d) Clothing and textiles (Textiles), (e) Plastic, (f) Electrical and electronic equipment. 5) Extended producer responsibility. 6) Legislative measures. 7) Financial measures (tools). 8) Waste data management. 9) Inspection and enforcement. 10) Strengthening the administrative capacity of stakeholders. 11) Information and Awareness
