Cyprus Mail 4 April 2025 - by Charalambos Stylianou
Authorities are preparing to enforce stricter measures against illegal waste dumping, warning local councils they will face legal action if the problem persists after new measures are implemented.
The department of environment has proposed a series of urgent steps to tackle the issue, including the introduction of temporary green waste collection points in every community, improvements to the operation of existing facilities, and a large-scale cleanup of illegal dumpsites. The plan was discussed in an initial meeting last week and will be finalised in a second meeting next week.
To fund the cleanup of approximately 500 remaining illegal waste sites, the department is expected to request an emergency budget of €2-5 million from the council of ministers. The locations of these sites have already been identified using satellite data.
Once the cleanup is completed, local councils will be required to appoint inspectors to oversee the proper operation of temporary green collection points and prevent further illegal dumping. The department of environment has warned that failure to comply will result in fines.
The proposal for temporary green waste collection points was put forward by the union of communities as an interim measure until the expansion of the country’s network of permanent facilities is completed. The goal is to provide more accessible disposal options for residents, reducing the temptation to dump waste illegally. Communities will be responsible for setting up collection bins for debris and other waste at these sites.
Additionally, authorities are reviewing complaints about the operation of existing green waste facilities, including their opening hours and the refusal to accept certain materials. Many of these centres are reportedly closed during peak times, making it difficult for residents to dispose of waste properly.
The most critical part of the strategy is the approval of funding by the council of ministers before the summer, a period when fires often break out in illegal dumpsites. Authorities stress that securing the budget in time is crucial to prevent environmental disasters.
During the 2024 cleanup campaign, 106 local councils participated, clearing 269 illegal dumpsites. The government provided a total of €1,550,000 in financial support to municipalities and communities involved in the initiative.
The department of environment currently relies on local authorities to monitor illegal dumpsites due to the delayed establishment of an environmental inspection service, despite prior commitments from President Nikos Christodoulides.
To address this, the department requested last August that municipalities and communities appoint inspectors who would be authorised by the minister of agriculture to oversee waste disposal in high-risk areas, including forests and Natura 2000-protected sites.
While some municipalities have successfully implemented the monitoring scheme, many rural communities, where major fires often originate, have not been able to do so.
Andreas Kitromilides, president of the Cyprus union of communities, said that communities currently lack the staff required for waste inspection. He suggested that a proper monitoring system may only be possible after 2026 when the ‘pay-as-you-throw’ scheme is fully implemented and additional hires are made as part of the ongoing local government reform.
