Greece among worst in EU in municipal waste management: Report

By Ahmet Gencturk

ATHENS (AA) – Greece ranks among the worst in the EU in terms of municipal waste management, a report by the country chapter of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) said on Tuesday.

While the waste generation in Greece has soared by nearly 73% since 1995, the country's actual recycling rate remains around 16% with more than 80% of waste ending up in landfills, the publication said.

The WWF said political apathy, lax enforcement of regulations, a lack of resources and expertise at the local government level, entrenched corruption, and inadequate public awareness are among the main reasons behind the state of affairs.

Warning that the government’s current waste management strategy is not only environmentally harmful but also financially imprudent, the non-profit suggested implementation of specific actions including but not limited to development of transparent recycling systems, establishment of separate collection streams for different recyclable material, increasing incentives and funding for reuse and introduction of introduction of door-to-door sorting of food waste, as practiced in other European countries.

“The European Commission and the Greek Ombudsman have long identified the numerous issues plaguing this sector, urging a series of structural reforms that have yet to be met by the Greek government. Only through innovation and bold action can we hope to transform the circular economy into a reality, and not into another missed opportunity," said Achilles Plitharas, WWF Greece's footprint manager.