The issue of solid-waste recycling and the need to strengthen national recycling programmes is expected to be discussed today at the House Environment Committee.

Committee Chair Charalambos Theopemptou told OffsiteNews that the Committee aims to review progress on the recycling of packaging, as well as electronic and electrical equipment. He added that the Department of Environment is also expected to update MPs on whether problems related to recycling waste from construction and demolition have been resolved.

The Department will additionally brief the Committee on the status of plastic-waste recycling from greenhouses.

Theopemptou noted that new legislation has been introduced concerning the recycling of cigarette filters and medicines. He stressed that the overall recycling system will also be examined, as several areas continue to face difficulties, and that proper implementation must be extended across the entire country.

In a recent post, Theopemptou highlighted data from the European Environment Agency: Cyprus generated roughly 670 kg of municipal waste per capita in 2022, above the EU average, yet only 15% of it was processed for recycling. In 2023, the country produced around 650 kg per capita, with only about one-sixth reaching recycling.

According to the post, Cyprus has been under “special monitoring” by the EU for nearly a decade. In 2018, the Commission’s report found that in 2016 Cyprus recycled just 17% of municipal waste, while 75% was landfilled.

Beyond low recycling rates, the report also pointed to structural problems: inadequate infrastructure and collection systems for recyclables and biowaste, lack of economic incentives discouraging landfill use, and weak implementation of separate collection at municipal level.

Despite ongoing EU warnings, the Commission recently issued a pre-warning to Cyprus, setting targets for 2025:

• at least 55% preparation for reuse and recycling of municipal waste,

• higher recycling goals for packaging waste,

• and a maximum 10% landfill rate by 2035.

The EU noted that in 2020 Cyprus recycled only 17% of its solid waste, while two-thirds was landfilled — nearly three times the EU average. Recycling levels between 2016 and 2020 remained stagnant.

EU legislation, amended in 2018, requires member states to prepare 55% of municipal waste for reuse or recycling by 2025 and limits landfill disposal to 10% by 2035, with strict rules on the operation and restoration of landfill sites.