Proposal from Vanya Veras to transform Corfu into a model zero waste island
Vanya Veras
06 Feb 2020
/ 09:51
CORFU. Vanya Veras, Secretary General of EU Municipal Waste Europe, has proposed that Corfu joins a funding programme to become a model zero waste island.
In a letter publicised by Dimitris Soukeras and Theodoros Voros, Vanya Veras announced the European Investment Bank's willingness to fund a zero waste programme for Corfu.
This development is a result of the good relations developed by Corfu Waste Watch, of which Dimitris Soukeras and Theodoros Voros were President and Vice-President. A necessary prerequisite for the funding to proceed is that all the Mayors of Corfu must be in agreement and be prepared to hire a specialised waste management consultant from a selection identified by the EIB, to design an appropriate local waste management plan. The cost of this consultant can be included in the cost of the overall implementation project.
It should be noted that the Secretary General of Municipal Waste Europe pointed out the following: "This offer is not without limit; if another island presents itself as a candidate to be first to implement zero waste, this offer would no longer be valid."
Letter from Vanya Vera, Secretary General of Municipal Waste Europe
Brussels February 5th 2020
Dear Mr. Voros and Mr. Soukeras,
I have received a proposal from the EIB (EUROPEAN INVESTMENT BANK) stating that they would be prepared to fund a zero waste management plan for Corfu complete with any necessary investments.
In order for this to be made possible, all the Mayors of Corfu must be in agreement and be prepared to hire a specialised waste management consultant from a selection identified by the EIB, to design an appropriate local waste management plan. The cost of this consultant can be included in the cost of the overall implementation project. The waste management plan must implement the waste hierarchy as stipulated in the 2018 Waste Package, resulting in a maximum of 10% landfilling and the achievement of the prevention goals, reuse and recycling targets.
If or when you can confirm to me that all Mayors are on board, I will be able to organise a visit to Corfu together with relevant EIB team.
I believe that your effort, contacts, enthusiasm and organisational skills would be helpful in achieving this goal. It is important to note that the EIB is keen to sponsor an island that is willing to implement a zero waste management plan and to make that island the example for the hundreds of other islands in Europe. This offer is therefore not without limit; if another island presents itself as a candidate to be first to implement zero waste, this offer would no longer be valid.
Hoping to hear from you soon,
Kind regards,
Ms. Vanya Veras
Secretary General
Municipal Waste Europe
Press Release from Dimitris Soukeras and Theodoros Voros
Dimitris Soukeras, MBA(ER), Visiting Professor San Jose State University, former President of Corfu Waste Watch
Theodoros Voros, Economist, MSc, former Vice-President of Corfu Waste Watch
Subject: Transformation of Corfu into a model zero waste island
Following our resignations as President and Vice-President of Corfu Waste Watch we consider it our responsibility to inform the Corfu public of an especially significant proposal - opportunity sent to us - and which we attach - from Ms. Vanya Veras, Secretary General of Municipal Waste Europe. The letter discusses the agreement of all the Corfu Municipalities to the transformation of Corfu into a model zero waste island in the European Union.
The proposal must be fully agreed to very quickly and then the following steps taken:
1. Agreement to the proposal from all the Municipal Councils.
2. Collaboration Agreement drawn up following the visit to Corfu of a special team from Municipal Waste Europe.
3. Local Waste Management Plan drawn up by a specialist from abroad in collaboration with the Municipalities of Corfu and Paxos.
4. Receipt of funding from the European Investment Bank (estimated at approximately 8m Euros).
5. Implementation and operation of the project - monitored by the European Union.
We hope that the local authorities will grab this valuable opportunity being presented to us so that with the acceptance and implementation of this waste management proposal our island can return to European normality and global innovation.
Finally, we would like to sincerely wish the new board of Corfu Waste Watch every success in continuing the work to improve waste management on our island.
Dimitris Soukeras
Theodoros Voros
This development is a result of the good relations developed by Corfu Waste Watch, of which Dimitris Soukeras and Theodoros Voros were President and Vice-President. A necessary prerequisite for the funding to proceed is that all the Mayors of Corfu must be in agreement and be prepared to hire a specialised waste management consultant from a selection identified by the EIB, to design an appropriate local waste management plan. The cost of this consultant can be included in the cost of the overall implementation project.
It should be noted that the Secretary General of Municipal Waste Europe pointed out the following: "This offer is not without limit; if another island presents itself as a candidate to be first to implement zero waste, this offer would no longer be valid."
Letter from Vanya Vera, Secretary General of Municipal Waste Europe
Brussels February 5th 2020
Dear Mr. Voros and Mr. Soukeras,
I have received a proposal from the EIB (EUROPEAN INVESTMENT BANK) stating that they would be prepared to fund a zero waste management plan for Corfu complete with any necessary investments.
In order for this to be made possible, all the Mayors of Corfu must be in agreement and be prepared to hire a specialised waste management consultant from a selection identified by the EIB, to design an appropriate local waste management plan. The cost of this consultant can be included in the cost of the overall implementation project. The waste management plan must implement the waste hierarchy as stipulated in the 2018 Waste Package, resulting in a maximum of 10% landfilling and the achievement of the prevention goals, reuse and recycling targets.
If or when you can confirm to me that all Mayors are on board, I will be able to organise a visit to Corfu together with relevant EIB team.
I believe that your effort, contacts, enthusiasm and organisational skills would be helpful in achieving this goal. It is important to note that the EIB is keen to sponsor an island that is willing to implement a zero waste management plan and to make that island the example for the hundreds of other islands in Europe. This offer is therefore not without limit; if another island presents itself as a candidate to be first to implement zero waste, this offer would no longer be valid.
Hoping to hear from you soon,
Kind regards,
Ms. Vanya Veras
Secretary General
Municipal Waste Europe
Press Release from Dimitris Soukeras and Theodoros Voros
Dimitris Soukeras, MBA(ER), Visiting Professor San Jose State University, former President of Corfu Waste Watch
Theodoros Voros, Economist, MSc, former Vice-President of Corfu Waste Watch
Subject: Transformation of Corfu into a model zero waste island
Following our resignations as President and Vice-President of Corfu Waste Watch we consider it our responsibility to inform the Corfu public of an especially significant proposal - opportunity sent to us - and which we attach - from Ms. Vanya Veras, Secretary General of Municipal Waste Europe. The letter discusses the agreement of all the Corfu Municipalities to the transformation of Corfu into a model zero waste island in the European Union.
The proposal must be fully agreed to very quickly and then the following steps taken:
1. Agreement to the proposal from all the Municipal Councils.
2. Collaboration Agreement drawn up following the visit to Corfu of a special team from Municipal Waste Europe.
3. Local Waste Management Plan drawn up by a specialist from abroad in collaboration with the Municipalities of Corfu and Paxos.
4. Receipt of funding from the European Investment Bank (estimated at approximately 8m Euros).
5. Implementation and operation of the project - monitored by the European Union.
We hope that the local authorities will grab this valuable opportunity being presented to us so that with the acceptance and implementation of this waste management proposal our island can return to European normality and global innovation.
Finally, we would like to sincerely wish the new board of Corfu Waste Watch every success in continuing the work to improve waste management on our island.
Dimitris Soukeras
Theodoros Voros
