![Santorini: Garbage with… a view to the sea](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/santorini1-2.jpg)
The “microscope” of the Ombudsman was once again, last week, the landfill that has been operating for years in Santorini, a stone’s throw from Fira. In an autopsy carried out by a group of expert scientists of the Independent Authority, it was found that the site continues to illegally receive the island’s waste, which is piled in a “fillet” plot in the heart of the Caldera. Maybe it’s the trash with the…best view on the planet.
Greek tourism blooming… far from Mykonos and Santorini
Expansion of the landfill
In fact, as reported to OT by the Assistant Ombudsman Ms. Dafni Filippakis and the specialist scientist of the Authority Ms. Antonina Papathanasoglou, the “front” of the dump has also extended to the area around the active cell which has been occupied with excavation, construction and demolition waste (AEKK), old electrical appliances, tires and even damaged vehicles.
In the illegal Uncontrolled Waste Dumping Area – for which Greece pays the EU a fine of 80,000 euros for each six months it remains active – the piles of garbage reach a height of about ten meters. According to the Ombudsman, the long-term operation of the municipal landfill in the Caldera of Thira is “an extreme example of environmental damage in a highly touristic and at the same time an area that is one of the 100 monuments of UNESCO’s world geological heritage”.
The area in question has been used as a landfill since 2003, while since 2017 the creation of an integrated waste management facility (WMSF) on the island had been launched. In fact, over the last eight years, the case has often concerned the Ombudsman, however, despite his mediation, nothing has changed. In 2020, the Independent Authority requested the assistance of the Environmental Inspectorate of the Ministry of Environment and Energy (ΠΕΝΕΝ), which ultimately referred the audit to the Directorate of Environment and Spatial Planning of Cyclades. In the autopsy carried out three years ago, it was found, once again, the uncontrolled disposal and disposal of a large volume of mixed, mainly domestic, waste.
After the new spot check by the Ombudsman last week, an escalation of actions towards the relevant agencies is expected. However, despite the checks and findings, the situation has not only not improved, but is getting worse. After all, the restoration of the landfill in Santorini can only be done with the creation of an appropriate waste treatment plant.
The actions of the Municipality of Thira
“Unfortunately, we are unacceptable. All these years until today, all the garbage ends up in the landfill”, admits the mayor of Thira, Mr. Antonios Sigalas, speaking to OT. However, as he claims, from 2019 a strategic plan began to be implemented in order to proceed with the proper management of the 25,000 tons of waste that is produced on the island annually and today ends up at the landfill.
The waste management unit
Thus, a study was carried out for the waste management unit and at the end of 2020 a request was submitted to the PPP General Secretariat for the project to proceed with a partnership between the State and the private sector. At the end of 2021 it got the “green light” and 8.35 million euros were credited from the Public Investment Program for the construction of the unit which is estimated at 17.5 million euros. In total, its construction and operating costs for 25 years are expected to reach 59.5 million euros.
In July 2022, a tender was announced for (via PPP) the creation and management of the new unit. Four companies and consortia expressed interest, bids were unsealed last October, but it is not yet known who will move on to the second phase. As Mr. Sigalas mentions, the contractor will be judged based on three criteria. “The company that, based on its offer, will leave less residue from the processing of garbage, will propose a greater percentage of recycling within the unit and will charge a lower gate fee per ton to the municipality”, notes the mayor of Thiras, who points out that the new unit will also include heat treatment of residues. According to Mr. Sigalas, the project is expected to be operational in 2026.
In the meantime
But the question is what will be done with waste management until then. It is noteworthy that the mayor of Thiras was arrested last March because, as he himself emphasizes, the contractor he had contracted to “bury” the garbage abandoned the project and the situation at the dump was dramatic.
As Mr. Sigalas says, “there was no legal way to outsource it to another contractor and the issue was finally resolved by legislative regulation”. Thus, law 5037/2013 provided that in part of the “Alonaki” area of the Municipality of Thira, a transitional urban waste management unit with the possibility of processing mixed urban waste and pre-selected organic waste can be installed. The unit will operate until the Integrated Waste Management Facility is operational and in any case until March 2028.
Temporary space
According to the mayor, there is a study on the interim management of Santorini’s garbage, with the location of a temporary, transitional area where “we will bundle the garbage until the construction of the new, modern unit is completed.” As he explains, it has been delayed because “the site is in Zone 1 of the Caldera, and we had to get an exception to be able to install non-permanent structures such as a conveyor belt, a garbage sorting machine and a baler. All that remains is the signing of the environmental terms by the Region to begin.”
The compost that will be produced from the temporary management, as the mayor emphasizes, will be used to cover the landfill, while the residue estimated at 40% to 45% of the waste will be baled and will be the first to enter the new unit when built, i.e. in three years. According to the mayor, the municipality has secured 4 million euros from the “Antonis Tritsis” program for the restoration of the landfill, with the relevant permit having received three extensions to date.
![ot.gr](/wp-content/themes/whsk_otgr/common/imgs/fav.ico/favicon-32x32.png)
![ot.gr](/wp-content/themes/whsk_otgr/common/imgs/fav.ico/favicon-32x32.png)
Latest News
![Massive Wildfire Front North of Athens; Evacuations Continue](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/DSC_0559-600x399.jpg)
Massive Wildfire Front North of Athens; Evacuations Continue
Τhe conflagration in northeast Attica prefecture (greater Athens area) erupted instantaneously amid gusty winds near the township of Varnavas, before spreading south towards Mt. Penteli
![Greek Industrial Production Up by 9.5% in June 2024](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/industry.jpg)
Greek Industrial Production Up by 9.5% in June 2024
The Overall IPI in June 2023 decreased by 3.0% compared with the corresponding index in June 2022.
![Social Security Fund Employee Arrested for Demanding Bribe](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/cash-600x338.jpg)
Social Security Fund Employee Arrested for Demanding Bribe
Police said woman, 49, was nabbed 'red-handed' after receiving a folder filled with 4,000€, ostensibly to 'facilitate' the issuance of a disability pension
![Greek Road Tourism Booms, Eyeing Record 2024](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/gps-navigator-in-the-car-P3ACQVK-1-600x364.jpg)
Greek Road Tourism Booms, Eyeing Record 2024
The Kipoi (Kipi) border station recorded the highest absolute increase, with 457,000 arrivals, an increase of 115,000 or 33.5%.
![Greek Doctors Issue Safety Advice for Vacationers](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/shutterstock_1061985551-2048x1365-1-600x400.jpg)
Greek Doctors Issue Safety Advice for Vacationers
The Athens Medical Association offers tips to prevent accidents and health problems during the summer holidays.
![Deadline for Self-Employed Professionals to Register for Inter-Bank Payment System Pushed Back a Few Days](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/vat-2048x1536-1-600x450.jpg)
Deadline for Self-Employed Professionals to Register for Inter-Bank Payment System Pushed Back a Few Days
Greece’s independent tax bureau, AADE, announced the two-day deadline extension this week, given that the previous deadline of Aug. 31 fell on a Saturday
![Capital Economics: Greek GDP Boosted by Tourism](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/02tourismos10-600x375.jpg)
Capital Economics: Greek GDP Boosted by Tourism
The independent economic research business based in London appears reassuring regarding the effects of climate change on tourist activity.
![Int’l Students Will Soon Need ETIAS for Stays in Europe](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/shutterstock_620538449-2048x1365-1-600x400.jpg)
Int’l Students Will Soon Need ETIAS for Stays in Europe
Starting next year, foreign nationals planning to study in Europe will be required to present ETIAS approval for entry and short-term stays.
![Ice Cream in Greece Among Europe’s Costliest](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ice-cream-@OT-600x400.jpg)
Ice Cream in Greece Among Europe’s Costliest
Ice cream in Greece is becoming a costly pleasure with a liter selling for at least 3.7 euros in 2023, among Europe's most expensive.
![Eurobank Completes Public Offer for Full Acquisition of Hellenic Bank](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/eurobank-1-600x373.jpg)
Eurobank Completes Public Offer for Full Acquisition of Hellenic Bank
Looking ahead, Eurobank aims to fully integrate Hellenic Bank’s accounting operations, with this process slated to begin in the third quarter of 2024.