Question in Greek Parliament to the Minister of the Interior about Corfu’s refuse problem

The question

“On 19^th May, at the beginning of the tourist season, Corfu Municipal Cleansing Service announced that it could no longer continue collecting refuse as the dumping and collection of recyclable materials had stopped. Residents have complained that refuse collection had stopped several days before that.

The high temperatures that followed along with the huge piles of rubbish rotting in the roads led to the Corfu Medical Association issuing a statement emphasising the serious consequences for public health. It pointed out the danger of micro-organisms developing, the appearance of insects and rodents which can transmit diseases to humans (through bites or stings) and the pollution of food or water.

On 15^th June Corfu Municipal Cleansing and Recycling Service announced: ‘The damage to the waste processing machinery at Temploni Landfill has been repaired and refuse collection will resume immediately’.

However, it will require over 10 days to collect the huge amounts of refuse from the roads and tourism professionals are already talking about the bad name the island has got from tourists’ comments and photos in the social media.

Corfu has reached a dead end with its waste management. Greece was condemned by the European Court because Temploni Landfill in Corfu does not meet the requirements of European environmental legislation. According to the European Committee, Temploni has been operating in violation of EU legislation regarding waste and its burial since at least 2007 and poses a serious threat to public health and the environment. This includes poor management of biogas, residue from the landfill is not being processed and the presence of waste which the landfill is not allowed to process.

As Greece didn’t take any action to ensure that the landfill complied with the regulations, a fine of 353,100 Euros was imposed. Despite the continued protests of the residents and the fact that Corfu Municipality recognizes the inadequacies, the landfill continues to operate.

The other landfill on the island in Lefkimmi is inactive because residents have not allowed its operation since 2008 with continuous protests. Lefkimmi residents claim that the landfill is located in a forest area just 300 metres from village houses and in a highly sensitive natural area, near two rivers and the Ag. Petros beach (Kavos).

They maintain that the required conditions have not been met for it to operate, such as selection at source or a facility for recycling and composting, and that there is fresh water flowing throughout the area where digging is carried out. They are afraid of the risk to their health and their lives and the probability of the water table becoming polluted. They are requesting a comprehensive scientific plan for the waste problem which will protect public health, won’t damage the natural environment and will not lead to the deterioration of the area.

Based on the above, I put the following questions to you:

What actions do you plan to take to solve the waste management problem in Corfu so that there is no repeat of the situation that is giving the island a bad name and putting public health at risk?

What is the government’s plan for waste management in Corfu which won’t disturb the peace and will provide solutions which comply with European environmental legislation?”