Greece allocates €6.4M to restore landfills on six islands

The Greek Ministry of Environment and Energy has announced a €6.4 million funding initiative to restore six inactive uncontrolled waste disposal sites (landfills) located on several Greek islands. The project targets the islands of Mykonos, Tinos, Sifnos, Patmos, Paxoi, and Kalymnos.

Following environmental licensing and cooperation between local municipalities and the General Secretariat for Waste Management Coordination, these projects aim to resolve long-standing environmental issues. Completing these works is expected to protect public health, preserve sensitive island ecosystems, and enhance the local tourism industry.

Crucially, the remediation of these sites is intended to end the annual €480,000 fine imposed by the European Court on Greece due to the failure to restore these specific landfills. Environment Minister Stavros Papastavrou stated that the move aims to close past environmental discrepancies and strengthen the country's international credibility by eliminating EU penalties related to illegal dumpsites.