Skip transporters plan mid-July protest over illegal dumping

Skip transport professionals are organizing a protest for mid-July, accusing the government of failing to supervise and stop illegal rubble transport and dumping, which harms licensed operators and the environment according to a report by Pavlos Neophytos.

Charalambos Theopeptou, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Environment, revealed the planned protest during a committee meeting on Wednesday, stating he had been invited to attend.

Environment Minister Maria Panagiotou said the Environment Department had signed a cooperation agreement with the police, effective from June 11. This agreement ensures inspectors visiting illegal dumping sites, especially for rubble, have the necessary security after past incidents that endangered their lives.

New measures and taximeters

The issue of illegal dumping by skip transport operators was highlighted in a recent report by Kathimerini. The Environment Department plans to work with the Road Transport Department of the Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Works to formally recognize the profession of waste carrier.

According to Theodoulos Mesimeris, Deputy Director of the Environment Department, the current system allows anyone to buy a waste transport vehicle and operate it without supervision. The proposed plans require contractors to use licensed transporters registered in a professional database. These professionals, like taxi drivers, will need to install a device recording the kilometers traveled to licensed facilities managing construction and demolition waste, ensuring they are paid accordingly.

The state aims to stop the illegal dumping of aggregate waste. If the existing ten licensed facilities nationwide face challenges in managing these materials, the government plans to attract investment for new plants. This will involve offering incentives, such as finding, auctioning, and leasing state land to interested investors.

The upcoming protest underscores the urgency of addressing illegal waste transport and dumping to protect licensed operators and the environment in Cyprus.