Filenews 7 May 2025 - by Angelos Nicolaou
The European Commission is again referring Cyprus to the Court of Justice of the European Union, requesting the imposition of financial penalties for non-compliance with EU waste legislation. The decision concerns Cyprus' inability to fully implement the 2013 CJEU ruling on landfills in Kotsiatis (Nicosia) and Vati (Limassol).
Despite the fact that these two sites have ceased to accept waste for more than six years, they remain open and unrestored, in violation of Directive 1999/31/EC on the landfill of waste. The Commission considers that the ongoing situation poses risks to public health and the environment, as the lack of proper remediation of the sites may cause soil, water and air pollution.
The initial referral to the Court was made in 2012, with the 2013 decision recognising a breach of Cyprus' obligations. In 2017, the Commission sent a letter of formal notice under Article 260 TFEU. However, delays and constant postponements in the timetable for the full implementation of the required measures forced the Commission to return to the Court of Justice, this time with a request for the imposition of financial penalties.
The case is part of a broader context of violations by Cyprus in waste management. Two further proceedings are pending: one for insufficient pre-treatment of waste before landfill and another for non-compliance with the Packaging and E-Waste Directives.
European waste policy focuses on prevention, recycling and recovery, making landfill the last resort. Failure to comply poses not only environmental risks, but also undermines efforts for a circular economy.
