Consortium defends waste disposal at Koshi landfill

The consortium managing the OEDA Koshi waste facility – ILEKTOR SA – ELLAKTOR SA and CYBARCO Contracting Ltd – has defended its waste disposal practices following criticism from opposition party Akel, which claimed waste was not being properly managed.

In a statement, the consortium explained that landfill use is necessary due to the increased volume of waste and that the facility is operating according to all relevant specifications.

Responding to recent social media posts and articles, the consortium clarified that the Koshi facility processes all mixed waste from the Larnaca, Famagusta and Nicosia districts, amounting to approximately 270,000 tonnes annually.

With the facility’s maximum capacity at 195,000 tonnes per year, the excess waste – around 75,000 tonnes – is taken to the adjacent landfill on site.

“The disposal of waste directly to the landfill became necessary following the diversion of the Nicosia District’s waste to the Waste Management Authority (September 2018), which was necessary for the closure of the Kotsiatis uncontrolled waste disposal site, which in turn was a prerequisite for avoiding the imposition of a fine of approximately €60 million to the Republic of Cyprus by the European Union,” it added.

The consortium said the addition of the waste from the Nicosia District also allowed for a significant reduction in the cost of waste management in the OEDA, due to economies of scale, to the benefit of the local authorities of the contracting districts.

The announcement concluded by stating that the expertise of the consortium and its staff ensures the daily continuous and correct operation of the Waste Management Facility, whose equipment is now completing 15 years of life having managed more than 2.5 million tonnes of mixed waste. The consortium stressed that all activities are in line with environmental regulations, as confirmed by regular inspections from the Environment Department.

In contrast, Akel MP Nikos Kettiros recently claimed in a TikTok video that a large volume of waste at the site is being buried without proper treatment.