On Friday, April 26, 2024, the final event presenting the results of the project “Separate Collection and Management of Hazardous Waste from Households,” implemented by the Department of Environment as the Contracting Authority, in collaboration with the Nicosia Development Company, took place at the Olympic Hall.
The event was addressed by the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Environment, Dr. Maria Panayiotou, who emphasized the importance of the project due to the obligations for separate collection of hazardous household waste, which begins on January 1, 2025, in accordance with the Waste Framework Directive 2008/98/EC.
Mrs. Elena Stylianopoulou, Acting Director of the Department of Environment, highlighted in her address the significance of the project and the benefits derived from it.
In her presentation, Mrs. Ioanna Constantinidou, Head of the Waste and Circular Economy Project Implementation Division, focused on the objectives, actions, communication strategy implemented, results, and the next steps, including the continuation of the operation of the mobile units through the Integrated Project “Intelligent Monitoring and Efficient Waste Reduction in Cyprus” (LIFE-IP CYzero WASTE).
Mr. Panayiotis Mountoukos from Nicosia Development Agency, referred to the implementation of the action involving the visits and hosting of the mobile units in the Local Authorities of Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca, Paphos, and free Famagusta.
Specifically, the mobile units visited 71 communities and 26 municipalities, informing 17,000 citizens and collecting 1,681 kilograms of hazardous household waste. Detailed collection data includes:
- 180kg of medicines
- 85kg of inks/toners
- 203kg of paints/glues
- 177kg of pesticides
- 1008kg of electrical and electronic devices
It is noteworthy that scheduled student visits were organized, providing the opportunity to inform and raise awareness among the new generation of citizens on this important issue. Specifically, more than 7,000 students were informed about hazardous household waste.
In conclusion, through public interaction in various municipalities and communities, people were adequately and correctly informed about what constitutes hazardous household waste and the proper way to manage it.
With the completion of the project, citizens can transport hazardous household waste to Green Points.
Find the presentations below: