Filenews 4 May 2023 - by Despina Psillou
The Landfill in Paphos was declared dangerous for public health, for the safety of citizens and for the environment. This was noted during a discussion in the Environment Committee of the Parliament and that the landfill in several cases violates domestic and European legislation, does not comply with recommendations, for 17 years had not obtained planning permission, does not properly manage biogases and liquid wastewater, poisoned river and animals near the facilities, has incorporated the public road within the site and the passage is through the landfill. If there are no compliances with the recommendations, they will be taken to court, the Department of Environment said. The matter will come back to committee next September to see what action has been taken.
The administrative officer of the landfill, Kleanthis Demosthenous, noted that they have been managing the site since 2010 and that today there are two cells, in which the combustion torch for biogas never worked. "The landfill is proceeding with the construction of a new cell, with the intention of operating the combustion torch." As he said, there is planning and strategy by the Department of Environment for waste management, which is expected to be completed in the next three years.
On behalf of the Department of Environment, it was reported that actions have been launched for the separate collection of organic waste, renewable waste and for the diversion of waste to other units outside Pafos. "We estimate that in three to five years we will be able to limit the landfill to a place where Paphos' waste will be transferred so that it can be better managed elsewhere."
In relation to biogases, it was noted that there is concern since their uncontrolled disposal is an aggravating factor for the greenhouse effect. "The quantities are such that we are worried," he said, adding that these gases could be used as energy for the state. "We produce about 3,000 tons of methane from the landfill, which translates to the equivalent of 75,000 tons of carbon dioxide."
The third cell of the landfill, which is planned and will soon be put into use, will be the transitional period until all plans are completed and finally the landfill changes responsibilities and mode of operation. "We have a plan, if it is not implemented and adapted then we will proceed with extrajudicial proceedings. Suggestions have been made for improvements, if they do not comply we will go to indictments."
Environment Commissioner Maria Panayiotou noted that action must be taken, agreeing that the next step will be in court. "Together with the Department of Environment we have determined a transition to the site for an initial assessment," he said.
On behalf of the Ministry of Health, it was noted that it is a polluting installation. However, the Ministry has not received any update on the issues raised.
The Department of Town Planning reported that in 2004 a letter was sent with actions that should be taken at the landfill in order to secure approval from the Planning Authority. The actions were never taken. In 2021, the Department of Environment informed the council that industrial emissions permits had expired as of 2018. Finally, in 2021, a new notice was submitted to the Planning Authority regarding the construction of the third cell. As no approval has been secured since 2004, the Authority examined the entire development. The permit was granted in October 2022. "For 17 years it operated without planning permission."
At the same time, the Department of Labour Inspection reported that they have been carrying out inspections for the past three years. Among other things, it found that there is no general risk assessment, which has been requested since 2021.
Yiannakis Christodoulou, representing fellow villagers who have pieces outside the fence of the landfill, spoke of "an atomic bomb. No permits, no cut road." He noted that the region's water is affected and that their animals and wildlife are dying. "The thing has reached the breaking point," he said.
The President of the Committee, Charalambos Theopemptou, underlined that there is a directive and regulation regulating how a garbage dump should operate. "They require collection and treatment of wastewater. It requires you to collect the gases produced by the rubbish and either utilize them or burn them so that they do not escape into the atmosphere. It requires recording of waste entering the management site."
In addition, DIKO MP Chrysanthos Savvides, whose suggestion examined the issue, said that garbage, without any separation, is buried under 40 cm of soil and compacted. He referred to a large and polluting fire that had broken out in a cell, while he also expressed dissatisfaction with the absence of the mayor of Pafos, Phedon Phedonos, as president of the landfill.
