North Corfu obliged to send waste to Ioannina

The recipient of waste from North Corfu is changing, following the ministerial direction given to the Municipality.

As Mayor Giorgos Mahimaris informed the municipal council during Wednesday's accountability session, waste will no longer be transported to the Palairos landfill but will be directed to the Epirus Regional waste management facility, located in Eleftherohori, Dodoni, for the next two years.

Deputy Mayor of Circular Economy, Spyridoula Kokkali, told Enimerosi that this change is being made as the Municipality is obliged to follow the respective ministerial decision, which is shaped according to the capacity of each unit as well as other factors.

However, this change will also entail a cost restructuring. On the one hand, the shorter distance will reduce the transportation fuel costs, but on the other hand, the gate fee, which was €42, will skyrocket to €70 per ton. Added to this is the Landfill Residual Disposal Fee, which will be determined, and is set at €25 per ton for the first year.

The Deputy Mayor said that within the next 24 hours the relevant Government Gazette is expected to be issued, which will clarify the issue. The next step is to announce a tender for the transportation contract.

Nevertheless, the Municipality of North Corfu, which is the only one of the island's three municipalities that has made significant progress in sorting at source, is intensifying its efforts to further reduce its annual transportation of 13,500 tons.

It is progressing in the management of small and large appliances, lamps, and toners in collaboration with Appliances Recycling S.A. and is encouraging the public to recycle, contributing to effective waste management with all the environmental, economic, social, and educational benefits arising from these actions.

CHRISTINA GEREKOU