Greek Government Spokesperson Pavlos Marinikis Deflects Recycling Scandal

Government spokesperson Pavlos Marinikis said he is tired of responding to rumours about the alleged “recycling‑houses” scandal, in which millions of euros were spent on equipment that remains unused after the termination of the contract with private firm Texan. He declined to comment on the specifics of the allegations, noting that the government will not fund any recycling‑related purchases without an approved regional waste‑management plan.

Marinikis highlighted that, since September 2024, thirteen comprehensive regional waste‑management plans have been approved by the Ministry of Environment and Energy. These plans, covering the whole of Greece, outline the required equipment for biowaste collection, material recycling, green‑waste handling and bulky‑object collection, and tie financing to EU funds such as the European Structural and Investment Fund (ESPA) and other national resources. The spokesperson underscored that any future spending must be linked to these plans to ensure transparency and alignment with national recycling targets.