Greece improved its standing from 24th to 18th among European Union member states in waste-management performance between 2018 and 2022, according to Eurostat figures presented by Manolis Grafakos, General Secretary for Waste Management Coordination at the Hellenic Ministry of Environment and Energy.

Τhe higher ranking is the result increased investment in waste management infrastructure throughout Greece. The number of waste processing units in operation has increased to 13, up from 3 in 2019. There are also 25 waste processing units under construction, compared with 5 in 2019.

Grafakos said construction contracts for new facilities on Corfu, Larisa and Kavala will be signed in the coming weeks. Tenders for plants on the islands of Kos and Kalymnos, under public-private partnerships, have also been launched. This leaves just three tenders outstanding for nationwide coverage – for plants servicing Syros, Mykonos and Paros, a second tender for plants servicing Lamia and Chalkida, and finally plants for Samos and Lesvos.

According to data from Ministry itself, recycling rates in Greece are also increasing, and currently stand at 19.5% in 2024 compared to 16.9% in 2019.

According to Mr. Grafakos: “Significant steps are being taken that are yielding results. Nevertheless, the country still falls short of its targets, which is why the leadership of the Ministry of Environment and Energy is preparing a major recycling reform that will begin to unfold in the coming weeks.”

Serres Waste Processing Unit / Cover Photo Credit European Union