More than 800 illegal dumps and waste piles were detected in various municipalities across Cyprus between April and July 2024 during the pilot phase of the DumpMapper service. The service utilized satellite images and artificial intelligence techniques.

According to a press release by PERIOPSIS, a spin-off of the CYENS Centre of Excellence, the pilot aimed to address the growing problem of illegal dumping, which has been a persistent issue for almost all municipalities in Cyprus. The DumpMapper service was provided to the municipal authorities of Nicosia, Larnaca, Lakatamia, Paphos, Ypsonas, and Livadia, allowing them to identify and monitor new dumping sites within their administrative boundaries. The service also offered an online platform enabling the municipalities’ staff to coordinate and manage the cleaning process.

The pilot identified a total of 820 dumping incidents, ranging from small waste piles of less than one square meter to larger dumps exceeding 10 square meters.

Data collected by the application indicated that the highest frequency of illegal dumpsites was found in municipalities with larger geographic areas and lower population density, such as Ypsonas and Lakatamia, highlighting the growing need for cleanup efforts in these areas. Additionally, a significant amount of waste was detected near public roads, with smaller piles commonly observed near streets and dead-ends in larger municipalities.

“The completion of this pilot program marks a significant milestone in combating illegal waste dumping in Cyprus,” the statement said. The pilot yielded valuable findings that can further inform municipal waste management strategies, taking into account the specific needs of various municipalities and communities in Cyprus. This global innovation is an excellent example of collaboration between local public authorities and the private sector, using emerging technologies to tackle a major issue affecting Cyprus and many other countries.

“For PERIOPSIS, the successful completion of the pilot represents a key step in expanding the DumpMapper service internationally, starting with municipalities in Greece and India, which have expressed interest in using the service on a pilot basis as well,” the statement concluded.