Ministry unveils bold plan to combat illegal waste dumping

Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Maria Panayiotou, has announced a multifaceted strategy to combat the island's persistent issue of illegal waste dumping, unveiling the initiative under the banner #wastefreecyprus.

In a press conference on Friday, Minister Panayiotou detailed a series of measures aimed at addressing the ongoing environmental challenge in collaboration with local authorities. The plan includes a rigorous cleanup campaign, hefty fines of up to €20,000 ($22,000) for offenders, the expansion of green spaces, an extensive public awareness campaign, and a crackdown on illicit waste disposal sites.

Despite previous efforts, Minister Panayiotou acknowledged the continuing threat, notably exacerbated by recent fires originating from these illegal dumpsites. She stressed the need for a comprehensive approach involving citizen participation, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and various governmental bodies to effectively tackle the issue.

Under the initiative, financial support will be provided to local authorities and newly established self-governing entities to participate in the cleanup efforts, with a budget allocation totaling €1.5 million ($1.7 million). The expansion of green spaces aims to cover all regions by 2027, beginning with new sites planned for Troulloi, Ayia Napa, and Avgorou by the end of 2024, targeting the Larnaka and Famagusta districts.

Looking forward, Minister Panayiotou highlighted upcoming plans to establish reuse/repair centers by 2025 and extend the "pay as you throw" (PAYT) system to additional municipalities to further reduce waste and promote recycling efforts.

Elikkos Elia, Permanent Secretary of the Interior Ministry, emphasized the pivotal role of local authorities in fostering sustainable practices and enhancing infrastructure management. Andreas Constantinou, Deputy Mayor of Aglantzia and representative of the Union of Municipalities echoed the call for coordinated efforts to ensure a cleaner and healthier Cyprus, citing Aglantzia's successful implementation of the PAYT system as a model for other municipalities to emulate.

The comprehensive plan unveiled by Minister Panayiotou aims not only to mitigate the environmental impact of illegal waste dumping but also to foster a culture of responsible waste management across Cyprus, setting a framework for future sustainability initiatives.