The year 2021 will be significant in terms of addressing the problem of uncontrolled waste disposal in Limassol, as well as tacking the fumes from the Vati landfill that continue to trouble Limassolians. Although closed for two years, the Vati landfill has continued to emit unbearable fumes and cause soil contamination all the way to the Polemidia dam. At the same time, the closure of Vati, combined with the inadequate operation of the existing green points, have intensified the uncontrolled disposal of useless objects. Decisions on both serious issues will be taken at the next meeting of the Limassol Integrated Waste Management Facility later this month, as stated to "Entrepreneurial Limassol", by the President of its Board Doros Antoniou.
Green points
Mr Antoniou said a list of eight new green points are likely to become operational in the near future in an effort to cover the whole region, as it is obvious that the four ones currently in operation are not sufficient. To this end, a study has been carried out after consultation with the local authorities, which will be put for approval before the Board of the Limassol Integrated Waste Management Facility. The study proposes the creation of green points in Platres, Souni, Kalo Chorio, Eptagonia, Trachoni, Agridia, Kivides and Vati.
Some of them were included in the original plan and have secured funding from the Directorate-General for European Programmes but were not built due to objections. Once approval is obtained, the study will be sent to the Ministry of Agriculture and the Department of Water Development in order to launch their construction in 2021. At the same time, under discussion is the extension of the hours and days of operation of the green points to better suit existing needs.
Vati
At its next meeting, the Board is also expected to give the green light for earthworks in Vati, to temporarily solve - in the Spring as expected - the problem with fires and fumes in the former landfill, until the restoration of the site. A relevant study and bidding documents are already under preparation. The tender for the complete restoration of the former landfill, at a total cost of €27 million, according to the Water Development Department, will be launched in the first quarter of 2021 and work is expected to begin next October. In the context of the whole project, according to Mr. Antoniou, ways of exploiting biogas produced from garbage for electricity production, will also be also studied.
