Municipalities warn pay-as-you-throw rollout cannot proceed without unresolved issues

Larnaca, Cyprus. The union of municipalities has again said it cannot commit to rolling out the pay-as-you-throw scheme at the beginning of next year, citing unresolved funding, infrastructure and enforcement issues.

Concerns over implementation

Union chairman and Larnaca mayor Andreas Vyras said outstanding matters must be addressed before a launch date can be set.

Under the proposed model, households would be charged according to the volume of mixed waste they produce rather than through a flat rate. The environment department considers the approach the most effective method for reducing landfill disposal.

Organic waste collection

Separate collection of household organic waste, required by law since January 2024, will not begin alongside the charging scheme. It is instead expected to be introduced gradually, starting with major producers including hotels, restaurants, hospitals and military camps.

Costas Constantinou, permanent secretary of the environment directorate, acknowledged that source separation of organic waste could not be introduced immediately. He said the charging model would nevertheless encourage households to reduce mixed rubbish.

Funding and infrastructure requests

Vyras questioned whether private contractor Green Dot could manage increasing volumes of recyclable material and raised concerns about the availability of inspectors to enforce the scheme.

Municipalities are seeking clarification on organic waste processing sites, funding for equipment, licensing for the packaging waste system and an increase in annual state grants from €117 million to €170 million.

Vyras said implementation would be more difficult in remote communities, where responsibility and costs for recycling collection remain undefined.

A union delegation is scheduled to meet Constantinou next week to discuss a timetable for resolving the outstanding issues.