**Cyprus to Implement “Pay As You Throw” Waste Management Scheme by 2024**
Cyprus is on the verge of a significant transformation in waste management. The nation has announced plans to introduce the “Pay As You Throw” (PAYT) scheme by the end of 2024, aiming to incentivize waste reduction and boost recycling efforts across the country. This groundbreaking initiative will cover 67% of the population, seeking to align with stringent European directives on waste.
The Department of Environment revealed that by March, six municipalities, representing 30% of Cyprus’s inhabitants, will adopt the PAYT scheme following preparatory studies. These studies will determine pricing for waste bags tailored to individual households and multi-dwelling units, alongside rates for waste bins and a fixed charge for all residents. Eleni Constantinidou, a Senior Environmental Officer, noted that Latsia, Lakatamia, Ayia Varvara, Aradippou, and parts of Nicosia and Limassol are spearheading this initiative.
By June 2024, further studies are expected to be finalized for additional municipalities encompassing 37% of the population. Nine more municipal clusters accounting for 21.5% of the population will conclude their consultations by September 2024. The remaining 11.15% will enter the final phase of consultation in November.
Early pricing estimates from the Aradippou Municipality suggest a charge of 6 cents per litre for waste bags, with varied pricing for different bag sizes. The final fixed fee will include both waste and cleanliness charges, set by the Department of Environment and the Ministry of Finance.
Municipalities have until June 30, 2024, to enforce compulsory waste separation at the source and establish separate collection systems for recyclables and other materials. Ambitious recycling targets have been set, including a 50% to 55% recycling rate for plastics between 2025 and 2030.
Environmental data from 2021 showed a per capita waste production of 633 kg but a low overall recycling and reuse rate of just 15.3%. The House Environment Committee has raised concerns about the impact of fixed charges on households and emphasized the need for improved organic waste management.
Committee Chairman Charalambos Theopemptou highlighted issues regarding amending legislation for fixed charges and stressed the importance of renewable energy sources like biogas. Concerns were also expressed about waste separation in apartment buildings and practical implementation challenges.
The European directive on waste sets rigorous recycling targets for urban waste: 55% by 2025, increasing incrementally to 65% by 2035. It also mandates separate collections for specific wastes by set dates.
Cyprus’s adoption of the PAYT scheme is a significant step towards responsible waste management and compliance with European standards, potentially revolutionizing how citizens approach recycling and waste reduction.
