Pafos Live 7 April 2025
In the context of the instructions given by the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Dr. Maria Panagiotou, and following her recent meeting with the Association of Licensed Waste Carriers, the Department of the Environment announces the launch of a nationwide inspection campaign to tackle illegal waste dumping.
The audits are launched with the aim of the immediate and strict enforcement of the current legislation, enhancing the prevention of new violations and effective compliance with the environmental framework. The audits, which will be implemented in cooperation with the Cyprus Police, start today, Monday, 7 April 2025, and concern compliance with the provisions of the Waste Laws of 2011 to 2022 and the relevant Regulations and Decrees. The controls will focus on producers and managers of solid and hazardous waste.
This campaign is part of one of the measures of the "Waste Free Cyprus" framework of actions, announced by the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, and is a comprehensive plan to address the chronic problems of illegal waste disposal and enhance environmental compliance at local level.
In 2024, it is recalled, within the framework of the actions of "Waste Free Cyprus", €1.55 million was allocated. To support Local Authorities, 269 illegal garbage dumps were cleaned in 106 Communities and a total of 21.55 m² of waste was removed. At the same time, 59 environmental inspectors have been appointed, while another 118 are about to be appointed with the aim of preventing the recurrence of illegal dumping phenomena.
The campaign continues in 2025. It is noted that in case of non-compliance, an out-of-court settlement of up to €20,000 or criminal prosecution is foreseen, which, in case of conviction, is subject to imprisonment not exceeding three years, or to a fine not exceeding €500,000, or to both of these penalties.
