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A waste management scandal in Cyprus is casting a shadow over former environment minister Costas Kadis, just as he seeks a prominent position in the European Union. Kadis, who is vying to become the EU’s next Commissioner for Oceans and Fisheries, is now facing tough questions about his oversight of a controversial waste treatment facility in Limassol. According to a report in Politico, the Cypriot government has been implicated in years of illegal waste dumping, a violation of EU law, that occurred on Kadis' watch.
The waste facility, located in Pentakomo and funded by over €46 million in EU money, was supposed to recycle household waste and produce fuel. But from the moment it began operations in 2017, it became clear that the waste was too wet and contaminated to make proper fuel. Despite knowing the waste couldn’t meet the necessary standards, the Cypriot government went ahead with the project, leaving thousands of tons of unsorted household, medical, and hazardous industrial waste buried illegally at the site.
The illegal dumping has triggered a major environmental scandal. Residents near the plant have been plagued by the stench of rotting waste and fears over potential health risks, with one environmental group calling the situation “unbearable.” The report reveals that about 60% of the waste processed at the plant has been buried, in direct contravention of EU waste management laws.
The scandal is now following Kadis to Brussels, where he faces a tough grilling by the European Parliament as part of his bid to become the EU Commissioner for Oceans and Fisheries. Although he wasn’t in office when the waste plant was built, Kadis oversaw the project for five years as environment minister, during which time the illegal dumping continued. Critics, including environmental activists, are questioning his role and accusing him of failing to stop the violations.
“It’s hard to understand how someone responsible for such a scandal could be trusted with one of Europe’s top environmental jobs,” said Efi Xanthou, a leading voice in Cyprus’ Green Party.
Adding to the intrigue, the internal investigation launched by the Cypriot government in 2019 pointed fingers at the plant’s contractors, but documents obtained by *Politico* suggest that the government had been warned about the plant’s technical issues before construction even began. Despite these warnings, no actions were taken, and the waste was buried in violation of EU law.
As Kadis readies for his hearing, the fallout from the Pentakomo scandal continues, with local residents and environmentalists calling for accountability. Meanwhile, the illegal waste dumping shows no signs of stopping, and the European Commission is still grappling with how to resolve the situation and recover the millions of euros in funding tied to the project.
This scandal, tied to both environmental damage and governmental mismanagement, has now become a critical test for Kadis’ candidacy in Brussels, and for Cyprus' reputation within the EU.
