The Region of Attica categorically denies what the mayor of Athens, Haris Doukas, supported regarding the increase in waste burial fees by decision of the ESDNA, in a statement signed by the president of the ESDNA and Deputy Regional Governor for Environment and Quality of Life, Charalambos Siatras.

The announcement states:

“Only sadness can be caused by the content of the letter of the Mayor of Athens to KEDE and PEDA, with which he accuses the Region of Attica (!) of “strangulation” of the OTAs through the – alleged – increase in burial fees and contributions by the EDSNA.

Sadness and genuine wonder, as no one can understand whether this letter is the product of profound ignorance or passionate expediency.

Unfortunately, both seem to be true. And since we have learned to speak only the language of truth, responsibly and clearly, let us see how things are in their proper dimension: It is absolutely untrue that there was an increase in burial fees at the initiative of EDSNA and indeed in the form of the urgent. The specific cost is imposed in stages and results from the application of the existing legislation.

The Mayor of Athens seems to ignore or overlook the fact that, not by decision of the Region, but based on Law. 4819/2021, from January 1, 2022, a burial fee has been imposed for the Municipalities of the whole country.

This fee, based on the same law, was set at 20 euros per ton of waste and increases annually by five euros per ton, up to a price of 35 euros, while from January 1, 2026 it is set at 45 euros to reach 55 euros per ton from January 1, 2027, a value at which it stabilizes for the following years.

Finally, for which both KEDE and 165 Municipalities of the country have appealed to justice.

The burial fee is not an income of EDSNA or the Region, but is entirely attributed to E.O.AN. In conclusion, EDSNA is, according to the INTERMEDIATE law, liable to pay the burial fee, which it must calculate and collect from the Municipalities and then remit to EOAN in accordance with Law 4819/2021. And it goes without saying, that the annual price of a ton of waste is set by the Law itself and ONLY!

Under no circumstances is it the responsibility of the Region, nor of EDSNA, the inability of the officials of the Municipality of Athens to include in the budget a cost that is provided for in the Law and of course that should have been provided for in the budget of the Municipality.

It should also be that the Mayor of Athens – or those who advise him, obviously providing him with bad services – should have known well that the Executive Committee of EDSNA could never impose any change in the tariff policy. For something like this, it is necessary to make a decision by the EDSNA Board of Directors – and a similar decision has NEVER been initiated and that is why it does NOT exist!

Of course, the manipulation of the whole issue by the Mayor is obvious, which is why he also targets the Vice President of the Executive Committee of EDSNA, Municipal Councilor of Athens, who belongs to the main opposition in the Municipal Council. But this is a matter that concerns him and not the Region or EDSNA – much more likely the citizens themselves.

Ignorance or intentionality? In any case, the Mayor of Athens is again exposed. Because documented truth dispels paraphilology. And, unfortunately, cheap impressions do not solve the problem of cleanliness in Athens.

It is sad, at a time when citizens demand from the two levels of self-government hard, continuous and consistent work to provide definitive solutions to chronic problems – such as that of waste management – in order to upgrade the quality of daily life, the Mayor of Athens chooses to hide behind his responsibilities, with small-party-inspired communication tricks that refer to tactics of the past.

We do not know if this confusion that exudes the text of the letter of the Mayor of Athens is due to ignorance of the basic functions of self-government due to inexperience or to a deliberate distortion of the truth due to choice.

Lack of knowledge is one thing and misinformation bordering on empathy is another.

Unfortunately, in the matter of the announcement of the Mayor of Athens, both are combined.

At EDSNA we are aware of the problems and we work every day to solve them. To heal yesterday’s wounds that plague today’s recovery efforts.

The waste cost problem will only be solved through a holistic and organized waste management plan.

A plan that the Regional Authority, together with EDSNA and the co-competent Ministries, is preparing and will soon be presented, putting a definitive end to expediencies, delays, excuses and decades of pathogens that do not allow a definitive solution to the problem of waste management in Metropolitan Attica.