Collection at source of recycle material and organic waste in combination with the implementation of Pay as you throw (PAYT) scheme is one of the most important goals set by the Ministry of Agriculture, Minister Costas Kadis has said.
Speaking on Thursday at a press conference organized by Aglantzia municipality to present the PAYT project which comes into force January 1st, Kadis noted that such initiatives are warmly supported by his Ministry, as they contribute greatly to the implementation of the goals set in the framework of the new Strategy for Waste Management.
He said that the bill regulating the implementation of the policy of extending the separate collection at source of recyclable and organic waste, in combination with PAYT in all municipalities is before the House of Representatives.
In addition, he noted, with the contribution of the local authorities, the government has drafted the regulations for the management of municipal waste by the local authorities which define their obligations. Kadis said that the local authorities are the main partners in the great effort we make for the management of municipal waste.
The Minister said that the local authorities will get financial and technical assistance of twenty million euros from the Cohesion Fund of the European Union. Kadis also said that various programs are already into force in municipalities with the aim to reduce the municipal solid waste of hotel units and other areas of mass production, in the districts of Larnaca, Famagusta, Limassol and Paphos.
He said that the municipal waste is one of the biggest environmental challenges and added that the Ministry will spare no effort to assist the local authorities in every possible way.
Aglantzia Municipality will provide its citizens with plastic bags in 3 different sizes and the households will pay according to how much their garbage weighs. The bags can be found at the Town Hall and other places such as supermarkets, kiosks, bakeries and grocery stores at the cost of 2 euro, 1,5 euro and 40 cents.
