The public announcement regarding the universal implementation of the “Pay-As-You-Fly” (POP) system as of January 1, 2027—without any prior substantive consultation or agreement with local governments—raises serious questions and legitimate concerns, the Union of Cyprus Municipalities states in a press release.
As it notes, the Union of Cyprus Municipalities has repeatedly emphasized that such a significant undertaking cannot be advanced through public statements and unilateral timelines. “It requires comprehensive planning, institutional dialogue, and, above all, the assurance of the necessary infrastructure, adequate funding, and the required equipment,” the statement reads.
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The public statements by the relevant Department of the Environment, it adds, highlight serious contradictions in the planning.
“On the one hand, the mandatory implementation of the Integrated Waste Management Plan is announced within a few months, and on the other, it is acknowledged that basic prerequisites for its operation have not yet been secured. It is telling that a new state-run processing facility, costing €20 million, has not yet been allocated a site,” the report notes.
Of particular concern is the fact that, when the system is implemented, there are no plans for the separate collection of organic waste from households. As the Union of Municipalities notes, the philosophy of the Integrated Waste Management Plan (IWMP) is based on the citizen’s ability to sort their waste, reduce mixed waste, and, consequently, lower their fees.
“Without the collection of organic waste from households, this ability is significantly limited, and there is a serious risk that an environmental tool will turn into an additional financial burden for citizens,” it emphasizes.
Local governments and citizens, it is noted, cannot be expected to bear the financial cost of delays and shortcomings in state infrastructure, which are a basic prerequisite for the effective and fair implementation of the system.
The Union of Cyprus Municipalities has already requested an official meeting with the new Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development, and the Environment. As it states, a comprehensive and actionable national plan must be presented immediately, with a clear timeline, adequate funding, and a clear division of responsibilities.
It emphasizes that the green transition is a shared goal and a necessity; however, it cannot be achieved through unilateral announcements and timelines that do not reflect the actual feasibility of implementation.
It also states that the government must first ensure the necessary infrastructure and resources are in place, and that municipalities and citizens cannot be made to bear the cost of the state’s lack of preparedness.
Source: CNA
