Cyprus faces potential EU sanctions over waste management failures

The Cypriot Parliamentary Audit Committee is reviewing the country's municipal waste management system following a reasoned opinion issued by the European Commission in July 2026. The EU has warned that Cyprus faces referral to the European Court of Justice and heavy financial penalties if it fails to comply with recycling targets within a two-month timeframe. Cyprus remains heavily dependent on landfills, a practice that risks litigation similar to previous rulings against other member states.

Costas Konstantinou, General Director of the Department of Environment, testified that Cyprus currently has a 16% recycling rate, falling significantly short of the mandatory 55% target. He noted that alongside Malta and Romania, Cyprus is among the highest waste producers in the EU. Furthermore, European directives require that recycling rates reach 90% and landfilling be restricted to 10% by 2035.

To address these deficiencies, the government is pursuing interim solutions for waste facilities in Pentakomo and Kosi. While authorities are currently conducting studies to address infrastructure gaps, official decisions regarding long-term upgrades are not expected until 2028.