EOA NICOSIA - NO TO SHIFTING RESPONSIBILITIES TO CITIZENS FOR WASTE - ''THEY LOAD INFRASTRUCTURE OF MILLIONS WITHOUT STATE RESOURCES'' SAYS GEORGHADJIS - Filenews 21/9 by Angelos Nikolaou
The District Self-Government Organization (EOA) of Nicosia is in a head-on collision with the state, declaring in the most categorical way that it will not accept the transfer of legal, financial and administrative responsibilities for the long-term shortages of adequate infrastructure and the country's failure in the field of waste management.
In a memorandum sent by the president of the EOA Nicosia, Konstantinos Yiorkadjis, to the president and members of the parliamentary committee for the Monitoring of Development Plans and the Control of Public Expenditure, the Organization sets clear "red lines". At the same time, it highlights the imminent risk of financial sanctions being imposed by the European Union due to Cyprus' continued dependence on landfill.
The situation is in the red, as in July 2026 the European Commission sent a reasoned opinion to Cyprus along with 11 other member states for not meeting the binding recycling targets. With the two-month compliance deadline expiring, the country is on the doorstep of the Court of Justice of the EU, facing the imposition of fines.
The EOA Nicosia recalls the precedent of case C-387/97 (Commission v Greece), where a daily fine was imposed for prolonged non-compliance with waste management issues, underlining that the financial risk for the state is enormous.
"They are loading us with €50 million in infrastructure."
According to the data submitted by Mr. Georghadjis, the EOA of Nicosia is called upon to undertake and manage a wide network of infrastructures, the cost of which in infrastructure and management over two years reaches almost €50 million, without there being any state provision to cover the required resources:
>> 8 existing Green Points and 3 more to be implemented.
>> 10 Green Kiosks in the mountainous province.
>> 10 Reuse Stores.
>> 1 Reuse Center.
>> 2 Community Composters.
>> 14 Restored Uncontrolled Uncontrolled Landfills plus the Kotsiatis Uncontrolled Landfill.
>> The OEDA of Koshi.
According to Mr. Georghadjis, the annual operating cost of the 8 Green Points is estimated at €1,000,000, with 40% relating to the management of waste streams under often monopolistic conditions.
The aftercare and construction works of the restored landfills amount to at least €500,000 per year, without the possible investments in biogas utilization.
For the rest of the planned infrastructure (Green Kiosks, Shops and Reuse Center), the state has not presented any official cost study to the Local Government!
The EOA of Nicosia denounces the state's tactic of imposing increased fees and taxes on citizens without any return. A typical example is 2012, when the entrance fee to the Koshi Integrated Waste Management Facility skyrocketed from €7 to €40 per ton, burdening e.g. the Municipality of Nicosia from €230,000 to €1,320,000 per year.
"The state failed to implement the goals for which citizens were asked to shoulder more, such as the implementation of the "Pay As You Throw" tool, neither the OEDA worked efficiently, nor was recycling enhanced," it is pointed out.
At the same time, the provision for the imposition of a Landfill Tax that starts from €10/ton and can reach €70/ton risks simply acting as a collection measure and a tax, as long as it is not accompanied by substantial processing infrastructure. At the same time, the state is planning expenditures of €160 million. for temporary improvements to the two OEDAs (Koshi and Pentakou), which have already exceeded their life cycle and manage quantities beyond their capabilities.
The EOA seeks strict implementation of extended producer responsibility and Green Dot, so that collective systems receive and manage more than 40% of recyclables.
The 9 demands of the EOA Nicosia
In order to prevent the collapse of the reform project and the unjustified financial burden on the citizens, the EOA of Nicosia sets before the Parliament and the competent Ministries the following 9 conditions:
>> The EOA bears no responsibility for the failure to create national infrastructures, as the planning existed before its establishment.
>> No undertaking of infrastructure management without the simultaneous concession of the necessary financial and material resources by the Ministry.
>> Explicit provision that excludes the transfer of European fines or penalties to the NGOs and the Local Government.
>> Linking the landfill tax and any economic measure with a binding implementation timetable and specific state investments in infrastructure.
>> Establishment of a state-EOA consultation mechanism before making legislative or tax decisions.
>> Timely and clear information to NSAIDs on the progress of the infringement procedure and compliance measures.
>> Securing national and European resources for the rapid construction of waste treatment and recovery plants at provincial/national level.
>> Regular update on the progress of the infringement procedure by the EU.
>> Active involvement of NGOs in the design of national waste management infrastructures.
Millions invested to prevent the European fine
In the face of the concerns and objections raised by the Local Government about the cost and deficiencies in waste management infrastructure, the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment (YGAAP) contrasts its own planning and the actions that are underway.
In the context of informing the competent Parliamentary Committee, the Ministry clarifies that the achievement of the European and national targets for reducing landfill to less than 10%, from the current 63% landfill and increasing recycling/composting to 65% by 2035, is a national priority based on the approved Municipal Waste Management Plan 2022-2028.
1. Implementation of the "Pay As You Throw" (PDO) and funding of €25 million. to support the Local Government Authorities (ATA) and the implementation of the system within 2027.
2. The transitional upgrade plan for the OEDA of Pentakomo and Koshi with a total cost of €162 million. with the final technological solution to be determined by the Infrastructure Network Viability Study, which is expected to be completed in 2028.
3. To strengthen the circular economy and separate collection, the Ministry is promoting an extensive network of complementary projects and Green Points.
4. Dealing with illegal garbage dumps. Recognizing the serious environmental impacts and fire risks of uncontrolled waste dumping, the Ministry points out that although the legal responsibility for identification and clean-up lies with the Local Authorities, the state provides substantial financial support.
