The Minister of Environment and Energy, Costas Skrekasthe Minister of State, Akis Skertsos and the Secretary General of Waste Management Coordination of the Ministry of Environment and Energy, Manolis Grafakosvisited the island of Tilos to participate in the presentation of the program Just Go Zero Tilos, intended to create a new model of integrated solid waste management.
The program, implemented by the Municipality of Tilos, the Solid Waste Management Agency (FODSA) of the South Aegean and the company Polygreen, started last December with impressive results so far. The main objectives of the project are maximize recycling and material recovery and the exemption of the island from the need for landfilling with the permanent cessation of operation of the landfill.
The waste is collected in special collectors which have been placed in the residences, businesses and other buildings of the island (municipal services, schools, etc.), which are separated at the source into three streams:
Bio-waste.
· Recyclable materials.
· Non-recyclable materials.
They are then transported to the site where the recyclable materials are divided into specific categories, baled and promoted for recycling. Since the start of the project last December, the recycling rate has increased dramatically as it reaches 80%. The benefits of the program are significant and can be summarized as follows:
· Garbage dumps are closed. The program contributes to the achievement of the national target for 2030 which provides for the reduction of landfill to 10%.
Separate collection of biowaste and composting enriches soils threatened with desertification.
· A very high rate of recovery and recycling is ensured.
· The inhabitants, the students and the companies of the island are acquainted with the principles of the circular economy.
· A new, greener and more sustainable model of tourism development is promoted.
In Tilos, Mr. Σκρέκας met with the Mayor, Maria Kamma – Aliferi, the Regional Governor of the South Aegean, George Chatzimarkos, while with the CEO of Polygreen, Thanassis Polychronopoulos, visited a residence that has a special waste collector. He also visited the Center of Circular Economy of the island, the Primary School of Tilos and the Center for the Sorting of Recyclable Materials.
The Minister of Environment and Energy, Costas Skrekas, stated: “Once again, the beautiful island of Tilos is a pioneer and shows us the way to sustainable development. I had the opportunity to see up close how the innovative program Just Go Zero Tilos works. With this pilot project, which has at its core the recycling and the principles of the circular economy, Tilos can very soon achieve the goals of the National Plan for waste management, by reducing the landfill to 10% and increasing 60% of recycling. It can also be a shining example in the integrated waste management for all the small islands of our country, which face difficulties due to the distance with the mainland and the burden they receive from the tourist flows in the summer. With this program, we take another step to transform the Greek islands into cradles of sustainable development and innovation, but also to tackle climate change.».
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