Filenews 9 April 2025
"As the data now stands, this system, while it should have already been implemented by June 2024, cannot be immediately expanded at the national level," said DISY President Annita Demetriou in her address at the Environment Institute's "Pay As I Throw" event.
Mrs. Demetriou referred to the good results that the pilot implementation of the plan had in the Municipality of Aglantzia and pointed out the dynamics that this has.
However, she spoke of indecisiveness in government decisions so that its implementation can proceed throughout Cyprus.
Pointing out the positive results in Aglantzia, she said that a 41% reduction in garbage (about 3000 tons) and an 82% increase in recycling were achieved, as well as a change in the mentality of citizens and especially children.
But she said that while "Pay As You Throw" may bring about change based on the principle that those who cause the greatest burden pay the price, "it remains unworkable due to a lack of coordination and proper preparation."
"When there is no proper infrastructure for the final treatment of waste, how can we talk about sorting at the source? When issues related to relevant studies are still pending, when the appropriate preparation has not been made, when those who have implemented the system on a pilot basis have not even been invited to the coordination team, when issues of insufficient funds are raised", noted Mrs. Demetriou.
She also said that Municipalities and EDCs are rightly concerned about their sustainability and that citizens are rightly reacting to the prospect of shouldering additional fees and charges. "Unfortunately, crucial government decisions are delayed, there is a lot of indecision and a long delay, and as a result, we are constantly on all issues in the EU.," she said.
Underlining that the program must be implemented simultaneously throughout Cyprus, Ms. Demetriou noted that clear answers and a concrete action plan are needed.
"Cooperation, coordination and intensive information of citizens is the key to moving forward. The challenge is multi-layered, primarily political, technical and social," she noted.
She concluded that environmental policy must be done correctly, "responsibly, preparedly, consulted and, above all, in real data".
