The Municipality of Larnaca is soon to implement an ambitious programme for the management, collection and processing of waste. With EU funding, the programme will provide for the installation of 64 large underground bins for recyclable materials at specific points.
Owners of both hotels and restaurants – as well as the public – will be able to easily use the bins and place their waste by category.
However, two appeals from the Tenders Review Authority are delaying the implementation of the initiative. In statements to the general public, Larnaca Mayor Andreas Louroutziatis noted that the appeals, by the Tender Review Authority, concern the location of the bins underground, as well as the purchase of special machinery for emptying them. “The specific appeals have halted the programmes in the Ayia Napa and Paralimni Municipalities as well, where semi-underground bins were to be placed”.
Louroutziatis further expressed his hope that “the efforts of the Environment Department, through which the programme is funded, will be successful and by March the problem will be overcome.”
This delay, it has been confirmed, will not affect the funding extended by the European Commission.
The aim of the programme, the Mayor highlighted, is to eliminate the visual and environmental nuisance of the usual large green bins from the coastal and tourist front of Larnaca, and concurrently increase the volume of recyclable waste produced by Larnaca.
“The total cost of the programme,” he added, “will be €1.8 million, of which the Municipality of Larnaca will pay €100,000 in two installments.” At some point, the management and maintenance of the equipment will pass fully into the ownership of the Municipality, Louroutziatis concluded.
