Cyprus’ Parliament saw strong reactions on Wednesday following Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou’s announcement regarding the “Pay As You Throw” (PAYT) waste management system. A series of studies showed that households may face a fixed fee of 170-250 euros annually for mixed waste disposal, which is higher than current costs. The variation depends on the size and specifics of each municipality.
The announcement sparked disappointment, with Parliamentary Environment Committee Chair Charalampos Theopemptou expressing frustration. He noted that PAYT was expected to lower costs for citizens, not increase them. Elena Stylianopoulou, the first environment officer, explained that initial costs would be higher until citizens adapt by using fewer waste bags.
Minister Panayiotou added that the system requires a cultural shift in waste management habits. She stated that €25 million has been allocated to municipalities for infrastructure upgrades, with plans to increase this amount.
The goal is to address Cyprus’ high garbage volumes and reduce the environmental impact. Different approaches, such as prepaid waste bags or bins, will be implemented depending on the municipality.