Greece is seeking to overhaul waste management in Attica, the country’s most populous region, with a €375 million plan aimed at raising recycling rates from about 18% toward European Union targets of 60% by 2030 and 65% by 2035. The plan, approved by the Environment Ministry, targets Attica’s 2.2 million tons of annual waste, of which an estimated 39% is recyclable and 37% organic.
The strategy includes 30 reuse centers, 25 recycling points, separate collection networks for organic and hazardous waste, and thousands of new bins and collection vehicles. It also gives a larger operational role to the regional waste management authority EDSNA in recycling efforts.
The investment will be supported by EU and national funds, landfill tax revenues and recycling systems, while the plan is expected to cost €152 million annually to operate.
Some municipalities oppose the proposal to take control of landfill tax revenues, with mayors arguing local authorities should decide how the funds are spent.
The European Union has increased pressure on Greece over its long-running waste management failures, with stricter rules requiring projects to be part of comprehensive waste strategies before receiving funding.
