Ecological Recycling Society

Non profit environmental organization founded on 1990 ERS deals with prevention, preparing for reuse, recycling and sustainable management of waste, and resource efficiency at the local, national, European and international level.
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Ecological Recycling Society

Our aims Prevention and environmentally sound management of waste Sustainable management of natural resources and energy Organization and support of waste reduction, reuse and recycling projects Public awareness and sensitization Sustainable production and consumption Development aid on sustainable management of waste and natural resources
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Ecological Recycling Society

Our activities
Public awareness campaigns Implementation of projects on sustainable waste management Environmental education projects in schools of all grades Collaboration with local authorities to initiate and realize recycling projects, relating to sustainable management of waste and public awareness projects. Training and orientation in the field of sustainable waste management and other environmental issues to members of marginalized groups. 3

Waste Management Greece

Background
The ministrys estimates that

5.8 million tons MSW produced annually

Over 504 kg waste produced by each Greek per year. Total waste produced 5.8 million tons of which 4.8 end-up in landfill or are baled.

PRESENT FRAMEWORK
Currently 90 Sanitary landfills in Greece. Of these 77 are functioning, 7 are in the final phases of construction and 6 are not functioning for various reasons. Ex. Lefkimi ,Kerkyra (Corfu) public outcry and opposition never opened the landfill. Public opposition to Lefkimi landfill has resulted in riots and death of local resident. 2 problem areas in mainland: Peloponnese and Evritania

Illegal landfills
The 2002 number of illegal dumpsites and landfills was reported at under 3000
Currently, the estimated number is at over 150

Regional plans
Regional planning strategies still focus on final disposal with little emphasis on adopting and implementing waste prevention, preparation for reuse and recycling schemes. Focus remains on final treatment and regions have spent very high amounts in short term quick fixes. Lack of infrastructure in some regions : Baling transfer to other landfills and illegal dumping. Tender process requests for large-scale infrastructure of mixed waste and does not address issues and planning of separate collection and other more efficient processes ( composting, separate collection, integration with recycling centres, prevention, preparation for reuse)

Geographic issues
Greece has many islands (large and small) - Issues concerning land planning (landfills and zoning) - Logistics and connections to the mainland (for Recycling plants and waste management)

There is a significant increase in population and therefore, waste production in the summer months. (ex. Myconos winter population 9000 in the summer months 250000+) This causes significant problems in logistics and personnel.

Changes in charging methods

Significant obstacle to increased recycling rates in major urban areas was the charging mechanism put in place. Local authorities using a specific landfill were charged for access based on a % of their annual general budget (Attica area 6%). Regardless of the amount of waste they sent to landfill the amount was the same. As a result, there was no incentive to reduce this amount. Law 3854/2010 article 9 changes this: Local Authorities must now pay based on tons sent to landfill from their collection of residual waste and the waste derived from their municipalities at the sorting centers. This article is currently not being implemented:

Recycling packaging waste

Although the systems are developing momentum in collecting quantities and geographical coverage some problems have arisen. The targets recycling targets are calculated on a smaller estimate than the actual waste packaging produced. 1.098 million tones Ministry estimate whereas more conservative calculations have packaging a 1.4 million tones

Proposal by 4 NGOs for SWM

Ecorec, Medsos, Greenpeace, WWF proposed overall action plan for integrated sustainable waste management in Greece. Redesign policies and priorities focusing on prevention, reuse and recycling (and not on final disposal) must be set for waste management. Changes at organizational, administrative and functional levels at the local, regional and national levels and strategies and decisions must take into account environmental economic and social factors.

All this must be coupled with public awareness!!!

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Proposal 4 NGOs
EPR Wider geographic coverage and augmentation of the producer responsibility schemes. Creation of new extended producer responsibility schemes for other waste streams (bulky waste, textiles, dangerous household waste, construction and demolition waste) ACTIONS WITH LOW COST INFRASTRUCTURE. Creation of recycling islands/centers where residents can bring back different waste streams. Separate collection of at least paper/cardboard Promotion of household composting
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Proposal 4 NGOs
Management of Biowaste Shredders and composting in all significant green spaces for management of green waste from parks. Acquisition of shredders for all LA to manage green waste collected. Separate collection of organic waste from households. What about the rest: Co-incineration of RDF and residual MBT plants where environmental and social criteria is met Final disposal once all the above criteria is met.
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Why this plan?

It respects the hierarchy and is the one with the best environmental results (the most resource efficient) It has positive social impact it will create an estimated 2370 economically sustainable jobs directly and 1420 indirectly. It is by far the most economical one (one 1/6 of the cost in Attica)
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Waste and the Economic Crisis

Effects of the economic crisis and waste production. Overall estimates for Greece:
Reduction of waste production: 2009-2010: 6.5% 2010-2011: 8.5% City of Athens: 26 % reduction in overall waste production from 1st half of 2010 and 1st half of 2011.*
Direct links: decrease in consumption therefore waste production Indirect links: Emmigration to the countryside Increase in ambulant scrap collectors collecting materials from recycling and waste bins.

Source: Vice-mayor of Athens in charge of waste management.

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