Cyprus faces urgent waste management reforms to meet EU targets

The Republic of Cyprus is currently undergoing a critical phase in its waste management system, facing significant pressure to transition from a reliance on landfilling to a circular economy model. According to Dr. Kostas Konstantinou, General Director of the Department of Environment, the country must reduce its landfill rate from the current 60%-65% to a mandatory 10% by 2035 to comply with European Union requirements.

Significant regional disparities persist: Paphos currently sends 100% of its waste to landfills, while the Pentakomo facility handles about 80% and Kosi 50%-60%. To address these failures, the government has proposed infrastructure upgrades for the Integrated Waste Management Facilities (OEDA) in Pentakomo and Kosi, with preliminary costs estimated at €62 million and €100 million respectively, totaling €162 million.

Moving forward, the government is prioritizing the design of new processing units, the implementation of 'Pay-As-You-Throw' schemes, and improvements in source-separated waste collection. Officials emphasize that the window for addressing past failures and costly inefficiencies has closed, and the government is now finalizing the implementation strategy to meet its long-term environmental obligations.