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Cypriot citizens may soon face higher garbage disposal costs as a new bill proposes an additional municipal garbage landfill tax, adding financial pressure on households already grappling with rising living expenses. If passed, the tax will impose a €35 per tonne charge for municipal garbage dumped in licensed landfills by the end of 2025, increasing annually by €5 until it reaches a maximum of €70 per tonne.
Double Charges for Garbage Disposal?
This tax comes on top of existing garbage collection fees, raising questions about whether citizens will end up paying twice for the same service. Currently, local authorities charge an annual fixed fee for garbage collection, which includes expenses related to handling dog garbage. Under the new system, a second charge will be introduced, not because the garbage is collected, but because it is disposed of in landfills.
The financial burden is expected to fall on local authorities, but it is widely anticipated that the cost will ultimately be passed on to residents through increased municipal fees. Critics argue this contradicts the philosophy of the "pay-as-you-throw" system, which was meant to encourage responsible garbage disposal rather than impose blanket fees.
Photo of illegal garbage dump in Paphos
Where Will the Money Go?
Under the proposed law, landfill site managers will collect the tax and transfer the funds to the Ministry of Agriculture every two months. The revenue will be allocated to the "garbage management fund," supposedly to promote recycling, separate collection, and garbage reduction. However, concerns remain that this is merely a new way to generate revenue rather than an effective environmental strategy.
Opposition and Concerns
Charalambos Theopeptou, chairman of the parliamentary environment committee, has strongly opposed the bill, arguing that it contradicts the principle of "pay-as-you-throw." Currently, municipalities already pay €40 per tonne for garbage disposal, a cost included in property owners' annual municipal fees. With this additional landfill tax, residents may find themselves paying significantly more without any direct incentive to reduce garbage production.
The bill, published on January 25, is open for public comments until February 24. Once feedback is reviewed, the proposal will undergo legislative and technical scrutiny before heading to the Council of Ministers and the House of Representatives for final approval.
A Tax or an Environmental Measure?
Many see this landfill tax as a purely revenue-generating measure rather than a genuine attempt to reduce garbage. Unlike systems that charge based on the amount of garbage each household produces, this tax applies broadly, meaning that even those making an effort to reduce garbage may still face higher fees. Without incentives for garbage reduction or recycling, the proposed tax risks being seen as a financial burden rather than an environmental solution.
As Cyprus moves toward more sustainable garbage management policies, the question remains: Will this tax encourage better recycling habits, or is it just another expense for citizens already paying for garbage disposal?
