The Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development, and the Environment, Christos Senekis, highlighted the importance of cooperation between the government and the systems and professionals active in the field of waste management, as he welcomed attendees at the Cyprus Recycling Organization (CRO) Environmental Awards ceremony.
In his remarks, the Minister stated that “The Cyprus Recycling Organization’s Environmental Awards are a tangible recognition of the efforts of those who do not merely limit themselves to complying with their obligations, but go a step further by investing in responsible waste management and environmental protection.”
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He placed particular emphasis on the implications of managing Construction and Demolition Waste (CDW), noting that it is a key priority for the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development, and the Environment, and highlighting its contribution to promoting the circular economy.
As he stated, particular emphasis is placed on the separate collection of specific waste streams at construction sites, as well as on the selective dismantling of materials in large-scale demolition projects. “The goal is to increase the rates of material reuse and recovery and to reduce the amount of waste that ends up in final disposal,” noted Mr. Senekis.
“At the same time, efforts are being made to strengthen the circular economy in the construction sector. The utilization of materials resulting from the processing of construction and demolition waste is an important part of this effort. To this end, a Technical Committee has been established to promote the use of recycled materials, with the participation of the relevant government agencies,” he continued.
He explained that the incorporation of recycled materials into the technical specifications for public works is being promoted, in order to create greater demand for secondary raw materials and strengthen the circular economy in practice.
“The Ministry, through the Department of the Environment, has actively supported the development of the necessary infrastructure for the management of construction and demolition waste. From two facilities operating before 2016, there are now 11 licensed facilities in operation, and new investments in the sector are expected,” he added.
At the same time, the Minister said, efforts are being made to strengthen compliance with the law, ensuring conditions of fair competition among licensed operators, and implementing the principles of the circular economy more effectively.
