The Union of Cyprus Municipalities has expressed strong concern over recent developments surrounding the timing and implementation of the Waste Sanitary Landfill Tax, citing a lack of integrated planning on an issue with serious economic and environmental implications.
In a statement, the Union stressed that local authorities and citizens cannot be asked to absorb the cost arising from the state's failure to proceed in time with the infrastructure needed to manage waste, including organic waste. Municipalities are already facing increased financial obligations, the Union said, while a clear and comprehensive state plan for implementing the measure remains absent.
The Union also warned that delays in decision-making and the lack of a coordinated national strategy risk jeopardising €23 million in European funding earmarked for developing recycling infrastructure, source separation and modern waste management systems.
The Union of Municipalities called on the government to take responsibility and proceed without further delay with a comprehensive national plan, one that is clear and workable and that secures both effective waste management and the full use of available European funds. The green transition, it said, cannot rest on piecemeal decisions, delays and the transfer of financial burdens onto municipalities and citizens, but instead requires timely planning, adequate infrastructure, genuine cooperation and political will, in order to end the practice of sanitary landfilling of waste.
The Union reiterated its commitment to promoting the circular economy and sustainable waste management, while making clear that it will not accept the imposition of additional financial burdens on local authorities and residents as a result of state delays, inadequate planning and the absence of necessary infrastructure projects.
