Recycling in Corfu far from EU targets
recycling
13 Dec 2021
/ 20:10
CORFU. 50% - 60% of the recyclable material is unusable and is returned as residue to be buried in the Temploni landfill.
Corfu is far from the EU targets for recycling rates, even though it has a serious problem with waste management. According to Economist and member of the citizens' initiative waste.gr Theodoros Voros, the three Municipalities have different recycling rates, while the North Corfu Municipality has the highest one thanks to the Green Spots.
Mr. Voros told Enimerosi that the recycling rates throughout the island before the split of the Municipalities ranged from 4.5%-5%. Today, however, the rates show a significant deviation from Municipality to Municipality.
In particular, recycling rates in North Corfu are currently at 10%, when in 2019 they were at 0%, in Central Corfu they are at 4.5% - 5% and in South Corfu only 1%. 50% - 60% of the recyclable material is unusable and is returned as residue to be buried in the Temploni landfill by the Recyclable Waste Sorting Centre (KDAY). It should be clarified that it is one thing to collect the waste from the blue bin and another to determine what amount is ultimately being recycled.
There is no political will to support recycling, with the exception of North Corfu. Programmes of circular economy and household composting should be implemented”, explained Mr. Voros.
Away from the target
As a result, recycling in Corfu is far away from the target, considering that the EU target for 2020 was 50%, for 2025 it is 55% and for 2030 60%. “To reach the desired rates, separate sorting of materials is mandatory. The earlier we start, the better it will be and we will save on costs. On an annual basis, 70,000 tons of mixed waste and recycling are generated. The Municipalities should deal with organic waste with separate collection and, at the same time, proceed with the procedures for composting plants. We do not have any in Corfu,” he said.
The Green Spots
The Green Spots that have been created in recent years have played a decisive role in properly educating citizens on the quality of the materials they deposit in them. According to Mr. Voros, it is estimated that the quality rate of the materials reaches 98%.
He pointed out that in Corfu today there are about 124 Green Spots. Of these, 118 are located in North Corfu following actions of the current Municipal Authority. In Central Corfu there are 5-6 Green Spots based solely on voluntary action, while in South Corfu, the only Green Spot that could reach recycling rates of 5% has been shut down.
“Corfu can make use of the Green Spots and develop them further. Every ton that is recycled has a positive impact, because it is not transferred to the landfill and we, also, avoid financial costs. Developing them is in our interest and we will attract high quality tourists as a clean island, while the tourism industry should also get involved and embrace this action,” he concluded.
Mr. Voros told Enimerosi that the recycling rates throughout the island before the split of the Municipalities ranged from 4.5%-5%. Today, however, the rates show a significant deviation from Municipality to Municipality.
In particular, recycling rates in North Corfu are currently at 10%, when in 2019 they were at 0%, in Central Corfu they are at 4.5% - 5% and in South Corfu only 1%. 50% - 60% of the recyclable material is unusable and is returned as residue to be buried in the Temploni landfill by the Recyclable Waste Sorting Centre (KDAY). It should be clarified that it is one thing to collect the waste from the blue bin and another to determine what amount is ultimately being recycled.
There is no political will to support recycling, with the exception of North Corfu. Programmes of circular economy and household composting should be implemented”, explained Mr. Voros.
Away from the target
As a result, recycling in Corfu is far away from the target, considering that the EU target for 2020 was 50%, for 2025 it is 55% and for 2030 60%. “To reach the desired rates, separate sorting of materials is mandatory. The earlier we start, the better it will be and we will save on costs. On an annual basis, 70,000 tons of mixed waste and recycling are generated. The Municipalities should deal with organic waste with separate collection and, at the same time, proceed with the procedures for composting plants. We do not have any in Corfu,” he said.
The Green Spots
The Green Spots that have been created in recent years have played a decisive role in properly educating citizens on the quality of the materials they deposit in them. According to Mr. Voros, it is estimated that the quality rate of the materials reaches 98%.
He pointed out that in Corfu today there are about 124 Green Spots. Of these, 118 are located in North Corfu following actions of the current Municipal Authority. In Central Corfu there are 5-6 Green Spots based solely on voluntary action, while in South Corfu, the only Green Spot that could reach recycling rates of 5% has been shut down.
“Corfu can make use of the Green Spots and develop them further. Every ton that is recycled has a positive impact, because it is not transferred to the landfill and we, also, avoid financial costs. Developing them is in our interest and we will attract high quality tourists as a clean island, while the tourism industry should also get involved and embrace this action,” he concluded.
