EBEN 2020

AMBASSADORS CLUB OF EBEN BOOKLET 2020 35 UNION OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTISTS OF GREECE The newWasteManagement Plan of Greece: an attempt to resolve a chronic problem While the impacts of environmental degradation and climate change constantly appear around us in many different ways, including more frequent and extreme weather events, the necessity to mitigate the ongoing decrease of natural resources’ reckless use appears to be more current than ever. At the same time, more and more researches are linking the environment’s degradation and the increase of climate change with the outbreak of pandemics and therefore the need for its protection. In September 2020, the new National Waste Management Plan (NWMP) for the period 2020 - 2030 was published, with its preparation being an obligation of our country, as it results from Directive 2008/98/EC. The main aim of NWMP is to develop and define the strategy, policies, objectives, directions, but also the appropriate measures aiming at the protection of both the environment and human health. NWMP, together with the National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP), propose and promote the provision of long-term competitiveness, the sustainable economic growth, but also the creation of new jobs, in the context of the transition to a climate neutral Europe by 2050. Some of the key measures that will be taken at national level, in order to achieve the objectives set, are the following: • Modernization and implementation of the "environmental taxation" (landfill fee) in waste that led to landfill. • Implementation of the principle "Pay as you throw" in practice, both through legislative regulations and financial support of the relevant bodies through the National Strategic Reference Framework (ESPA). • Enhancement of Sorting at Source by expanding the collection network of recyclable materials and biodegradable waste. • Enhancement and upgrade of the Recycling Materials Sorting Centers (RMSC-KDAY). • Establishment of an adequate national network of waste treatment units (WTU-MEA) throughout the country, as today are operating just 5 units. However, another 30-38 units are expected to be operational by the end of 2023. • Promotion of the alternative secondary fuels production by the WTU-MEAs and the residues of RMSC-KDAY. • Definition of streams related to industrial waste that can be a secondary raw material or alternative fuel from industrial facilities throughout Greece. • Establishment and organization of landfills for hazardous waste by 2022-23 (including the safe disposal of asbestos waste), the absence of which leads to large fines imposed to our country by the Court of the European Union. • Raising public awareness and enhancement of trust in recycling, with the ultimate goal of adopting the principles of Circular Economy. Emphasis will be placed on landfill diversion, as Greece has not yet met the 26% target initially set for 2020, while there is some ground to be covered in order to meet the EU average (78% disposal of waste in landfills, compared to 23% of the EU 28, according 2018 data). In fact, in this direction, Greece intends, not just to avoid using the option of deviation provided by Directive (EU) 2018/850 to postpone the goal of reducing the amount of municipal waste disposal by landfill to 10% by 2040, but instead, expects, through the measures it will implement, to meet this deadline much earlier, by 2030. Of course, while in all the scenarios it has been assumed that production is expected to decrease compared to 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, it does not seem to have taken into consideration the much higher volume of masks and protective equipment (e.g. gloves, masks, plastic face shields) that will be disposed during this pandemic. In fact, according to the general recommendation from the authorities, this waste must be placed in the general waste bins (not recycling bins), in order to prevent the risk of employees’ contamination in the various stages of waste management. Thus, it is expected that the volume of this waste will be particularly increased, especially if one considers that it remains relatively unclear yet when the pandemic will come to an end. Waste management in our country, in a way that is sustainable for the environment, people and economy, is a chronic and difficult to solve problem, which with the new NWMP seems to enter in another phase, towards the solution. However, in addition to the much-needed structural reforms and institutional changes that are about to be implemented, the contribution of all of us is necessary, both at individual and organization/company level. Giorgos Iliopoulos, Chairman - Association of Environmental Scientists of Greece