Cyprus referred to EU court over waste management and food waste levels

The European Commission has referred Cyprus to the Court of Justice of the European Union due to systematic failures in waste management and improper landfill practices. Data indicates that 21% of waste in Cyprus is sent to landfills without prior treatment, violating EU directives on waste framework and landfill standards. This legal action follows a warning letter sent in 2021 and a reasoned opinion issued in 2024, as the Commission deemed previous corrective measures taken by Cypriot authorities to be insufficient. Officials from the Nicosia Provincial Self-Government Organization (EOA) attributed these failures to long-standing administrative shortcomings, noting that increased waste disposal fees have not yet translated into promised infrastructure improvements, such as the 'Pay As You Throw' program.

Simultaneously, Eurostat data released in September 2026 revealed that Cyprus recorded the highest amount of food waste in the EU, reaching 295 kilograms per capita compared to the 129-kilogram EU average. This includes high volumes from households, the hospitality sector, and food production industries. The Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment stated it is working on a long-term strategy to upgrade facilities in Pentakomo and Kosi, aiming to transition to a sustainable waste management system while addressing the ongoing legal challenges.