Volos residents schedule rally to halt waste burning at AGEL‑HOLCIM cement plant

Citizen groups in Volos, Greece, announced an open assembly for Thursday, 23 July at 20:30 in the Theatraki of Anavros. The meeting, organized by the Network of Volos Citizens against Waste Burning, Active Citizens of Volos, the Volos Citizens’ Fight Committee, the Magnesia Environmental Initiative and the Citizens of Magnesia for Health and Environment, aims to coordinate actions against the newly approved environmental permits for the AGEL‑HOLCIM cement factory.

The permits allow up to 200,000 tonnes of waste to be incinerated annually near residential areas, double the previous emission limits. Organisers say the decision ignores the 2023 Council of State ruling that deemed waste transport via the Pagasitikos Gulf unsafe and overlooks local opposition. They call for an immediate stop to waste incineration, relocation of the plant to an industrial zone away from the urban core, and support from the Region of Thessaly and other authorities. A quoted statement reads, “The health of our children is non‑negotiable.”