-
.
- Ελληνικά
I would like to welcome you to the press conference aimed at presenting the Framework for Effective Action to tackle the phenomenon of illegal and uncontrolled waste dumping.
Over the years, several actions have been taken, both by the competent authorities and by local authorities, volunteers and NGOs, but illegal dumping continues, resulting in either an increase in illegal dumping or the creation of new sources of pollution. We have also witnessed several incidents of fires caused by illegal and uncontrolled waste dumping, and there are many risks to public health.
In a few days the new municipalities and clusters will be called upon to implement the new local government framework. According to both the Municipalities and Communities Act, the respective local authorities are responsible for collecting waste/maintaining cleanliness/not developing illegal dog dumps. However, recognizing the challenges they face, the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment (MARD) is taking an initiative to strengthen the tools at the disposal of local authorities, with the ultimate goal of leading to a Cyprus free of illegal dumpsites (#wastefreecyprus).
It is for this reason that I am particularly pleased to have with me here today, at the press conference, my valuable colleagues from the Ministry of Environment, the Director General of the Ministry of Interior, representatives of the Union of Municipalities and Communities, the Commissioner for Citizens, representatives from the Commissioner for the Environment, the Cyprus Police, and other governmental bodies, as well as representatives of NGOs, whom I thank for their presence here.
I am sure that together, each and every one from their respective positions will work for the common goal: to effectively tackle the phenomenon of illegal and uncontrolled waste dumping.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In this Framework for Action, we are all of us.
We believe that only through holistic management, through collective action and the implementation of parallel actions can we achieve our goal.
The 6 Actions included in the Plan are summarized in this video.
The 6 Actions included in the Plan are summarized in this video.
[*]The first Action of the Framework is the campaign to clean up illegal dumping sites
In order to clean up illegal and uncontrolled waste dumping sites in municipalities and communities in the short term, the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment is starting to finance the clean-up of sites where there is systematic dumping of waste.
The main objective of receiving this funding is to ensure that the problem does not recur. Therefore, all Local Authorities in Cyprus, which will participate in this clean-up campaign, will receive financial support, provided that they:
[*]Inform about the location, volume and type of waste they have in illegal dumps. Already since 21 June they have been informed and have received a form. [*]Arrange in cooperation with the Department of Environment the cleaning and restoration of the site. Where and wherever possible, we want secondary planting to be done on the sites after the removal of the garbage. [*]Develop a plan to take appropriate steps to end illegal dumping in their community. For example, designate individuals who can be appointed as inspectors, and who will monitor and be responsible for ensuring that this does not recur. They will essentially become our "eyes" in their areas.
It should be noted that even if local authorities do not take the initiative on their own to clean up their illegal dumping sites, the Environment Department will be able to ask the Local Authority on its own initiative to clean up areas identified by inspectors from the Department, by citizens or even with the help of technology, and if there is a refusal, then the tools provided for in the legislation will be exercised.
Pollution sites will be prioritized and those listed as heavy pollution and hazard sites will be prioritized. If necessary, the campaign will be continued in 2025, but only with funding for areas that did not receive financial assistance in 2024.
Up to €1.5 million will be made available to fund the clean-up campaign in 2024,
It is noted that bodies, municipalities and communities of the Republic of Cyprus, whose boundaries are located within the NATURA 2000 network, can secure additional special funding of €250 for the removal of illegal waste sites.000, through the "Debris and Litter Removal" project of the THALIA 2021-2027 Programme.
The clean-up campaign starts today, Friday, 28 June 2024, in the communities of Chada and Ebas, in Paphos.
The aim is to complete in the first phase the hazardous and heavily polluted sites, and in the second phase the remaining sites. The risk assessment will be carried out by the Environment Department in cooperation with the relevant departments.
[*]Use of Legal Tools
There are two powerful tools in the Environment Department's legislation which can be used to help prevent the recurrence of illegal dumping.
[*]The use of extrajudicial fines of up to €20,000 to those who cause pollution (water, soil) and/or proceed or allow the illegal dumping of waste. [*]The strengthening of inspections and controls by increasing the number of inspectors of the Environment Department and the appointment of Inspectors of Local Authorities.
The Environment Department will now be able to use the information it receives from Local Authority inspectors and other services to inspect and enforce legislation in a targeted manner, and the recruitment of additional staff for this purpose in the Environment Department is expected shortly. Preparatory work has already been done with the competent services - departments of our Ministry, such as the Forestry Department, Mining Service - but also with the Coast Guard, to provide us with the necessary information for targeted inspection by the Environment Department.
It is noted that the effort of controls and inspections for the prevention and effective response to environmental crime, for the protection of the environment and public health, has been strengthened with the recent signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation between the Police of Cyprus and the Environment Department. To this end, the Water Development Department (Competent Body following a decision of the Council of Ministers) continues the rehabilitation process at the 47 landfills in the Limassol District and the execution of the rehabilitation construction works at the 24 landfills in the Nicosia District. It is noted that the rehabilitation of the landfills is a co-funded project of the programming period 2021-2027.
As regards the Larnaca, Famagusta and Paphos Districts, the rehabilitation works have been completed.
[*]Creation of a Satisfactory Network of Infrastructure and Facilities for Waste Management
One of the reasons for the perpetuation of the problem of illegal and uncontrolled waste disposal is the lack of infrastructure. We believe that the creation and implementation of an adequate network of green points will make a significant contribution to reducing this phenomenon. To this end, the Green Points Network is being revised in order to further densify it from the original design and to achieve sufficient coverage at a nationwide level by 2027. By the end of 2024, three new Green Points will be completed (Trulli, Ayia Napa and Avgorou), while the location of an additional 8 Green Points has been finalised and their construction will start in the coming months. The extension of the Green Points Network has already been included in the National Plan of the Recovery and Resilience Fund. In addition, a framework is being created to:
- Encourage the upgrading and improvement of the operation of existing WEEE collection/transfer points and/or facilities. We want these sites to work properly and be fully and completely compliant with the provisions of the legislation.
- Encourage efforts to set up new WEEE management facilities through the consideration of a series of incentives being developed by the Environment Department.
It is important to recall that in 2025 the creation of reuse/repair centres and a network of reuse shops in major cities will be launched. These will help reduce waste generation and have already been included in the national budget.
Recall the upcoming implementation of the "Pay as I Fly (POP) System" by the Local Authority Clusters, where they will be the vehicle for the transition to a Green Growth and Circular Economy. The mandatory source separation will start in the last quarter of 2024 and is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.
6. Information and Awareness
The achievement of our goals for a comprehensive transition to a Green Growth and Circular Economy, but also to a waste-free Cyprus, depends significantly on public information and awareness. Without the active participation and environmental awareness that each and every one of us must have, it is not possible to implement the necessary measures. We must and must make it our experience to refuse to cause any form of pollution.
Therefore, the Hellenic Environment Ministry is strengthening its information campaigns in various areas related to prevention, pollution reduction, respect for the environment and the development of collective action, such as the one we are carrying out today.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Based on the President of the Republic Mr. Nicos Christodoulides' governance programme for the Circular Economy and Waste Management, we are focusing on the immediate implementation of the actions of the roadmap we have presented today. A prerequisite for the success of the plan is, as I mentioned before, the contribution of each and every one of us.
I again appeal to local authorities to use the tools we are providing them to exercise what their legislation provides for, and to proceed with the immediate clean-up and rehabilitation of uncontrolled waste disposal sites and the tightening up of inspection.
Dear all,
To achieve a Cyprus completely free of illegal dumping sites, to achieve #wastefreecyprus which is our slogan, takes time, collective action and holistic planning. This is not just a goal, it is an investment for the future and the place where we want to live and operate. The road to sustainability is not easy, but it requires action now.
As we aim for this change that will improve the quality of life for citizens, it is vital that local government uses the tools we provide to target the challenges of uncontrolled waste disposal and promote the principles of the circular economy.
For the press conference presentation click here.
(EFYs/NZ/AF)
Contents of this article including associated images are owned by PIO
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or PIO
Source
