As clock ticks down, Greece tries to clean up its act on waste – Key Biscayne Portal

Report on Waste Management and Sustainable Development in Corfu, Greece

Introduction: A Case Study in Localized SDG Implementation

Greece faces significant challenges in waste management, with recycling rates lagging far behind European Union mandates. This report examines a groundbreaking initiative in the municipality of North Corfu that serves as a model for achieving key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The program’s success contrasts sharply with national trends and highlights a viable pathway toward sustainable urban development and responsible resource management.

North Corfu Initiative: Advancing SDG 11 and SDG 12

Program Framework and Objectives

In response to a 2018 environmental crisis caused by a landfill shutdown, the municipality of North Corfu implemented a comprehensive waste-sorting program. This initiative directly addresses the targets of SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by improving municipal waste management and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by substantially reducing waste generation through recycling and reuse.

Multi-Stream Waste Sorting System

The program requires residents to sort waste into numerous designated bins, promoting a circular economy model. This detailed separation is crucial for achieving the objectives of SDG 12.

• Yellow Bins: Paper
• Red Bins: Plastic
• Blue Bins: Aluminium
• Specialized Bins for:
  • Second-hand clothing
  • Empty ink cartridges
  • Used lightbulbs
  • Electrical appliances
  • Used cooking oil

Tangible Outcomes and Progress

The initiative has yielded significant environmental and economic benefits. A recycling plant now operates at the site of the former landfill, with a waste treatment unit planned for 2027. This progress reduces the municipality’s reliance on shipping waste to the mainland, resulting in cost savings and a smaller carbon footprint, contributing to SDG 13 (Climate Action).

National Waste Management Challenges in Greece

Discrepancy with EU Targets and SDG Benchmarks

Greece’s national performance in waste management presents a stark contrast to the success in North Corfu and falls short of international standards.

1. Low Recycling Rate: Greece recycles approximately 20% of household waste, significantly below the 2023 EU average of 48.2%.
2. Future Mandates: The country must increase its recycling rate to 65% by 2035 and limit landfill use to 10% of municipal waste, a critical target for SDG 11.6.
3. Tourism Impact: With over four million annual visitors to Corfu, tourism exacerbates the waste problem. Each tourist generates an estimated three kilograms of garbage daily, placing immense pressure on municipal services and local ecosystems.

Environmental and Regulatory Consequences

Failure to adhere to sustainable waste management practices has resulted in severe penalties and environmental degradation, undermining SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

• EU Sanctions: Greece has a history of EU fines for poor waste management, including a recent €5.5 million fine and ongoing daily penalties for an illegal landfill on the island of Zakynthos.
• Illegal Dumping: Incidents of illegal dumping, such as the disposal of 200 tonnes of rotting meat near a river, highlight persistent challenges and the direct threat to terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Future Strategies and Recommendations

The National Debate on Incineration

To meet EU targets, the Greek government is considering the construction of six waste incineration plants by 2030. However, this proposal faces strong opposition from local councils due to public health and environmental concerns, creating a conflict between waste management goals and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being).

The Critical Role of Education for Sustainable Development

The success of the North Corfu model is attributed partly to community engagement, with a particular emphasis on education. Municipal leaders advocate for integrating recycling programs into schools to foster long-term behavioral change. This approach aligns directly with SDG 4 (Quality Education), specifically Target 4.7, which aims to ensure all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development.

Conclusion: A Replicable Model for SDG Achievement

The North Corfu initiative demonstrates that localized, community-driven efforts can effectively advance the Sustainable Development Goals. By focusing on comprehensive sorting, public education, and creating a circular economy, this program provides a replicable framework for other Greek municipalities and serves as a powerful example of how to achieve SDG 11, SDG 12, and related environmental targets.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The article connects waste management to public health, particularly through the opposition to waste incineration plans due to “health concerns” and the illegal dumping of 200 tonnes of rotting meat near a river, which poses a risk of contamination and illness.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The core issue discussed is municipal waste management on the island of Corfu. The article details the challenges of overflowing garbage, the shutdown of a local landfill, and the implementation of a comprehensive recycling program to make the community cleaner and more sustainable. It highlights the environmental impact of waste in a city, especially with the influx of tourists.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: This goal is central to the article, which focuses on waste generation, recycling, and the need to shift towards more sustainable waste management practices. It explicitly mentions Greece’s low recycling rate (20%) compared to the EU average and the EU’s target to increase recycling and reduce landfill use, directly addressing the need for sustainable production and consumption patterns.
• SDG 14: Life Below Water & SDG 15: Life on Land: The article touches upon these goals through the mention of illegal landfills and the specific incident of waste being “illegally dumped near a river.” Such actions lead to soil and water pollution, directly harming terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 3.9: “By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination.” This is relevant because local councils are rejecting waste incineration plans, citing them as “extremely dangerous to public health.” The illegal dumping of rotting meat near a river also represents a direct threat of water contamination.
• Target 11.6: “By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.” The entire article is about Corfu’s struggle with and new approach to municipal waste management. The initiative in North Corfu to sort waste into over a dozen categories is a direct effort to improve waste management and reduce the city’s negative environmental impact. The article also notes the high waste generation per tourist (“three kilos… of garbage a day”).
• Target 12.4: “By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle… and significantly reduce their release to air, water and soil in order to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment.” The EU fines imposed on Greece for its 65 illegal landfills and the recent dumping of 200 tonnes of rotting meat near a river are clear examples of failures to achieve environmentally sound waste management.
• Target 12.5: “By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.” The article is built around this target. It highlights Greece’s low recycling rate (20%) and the EU’s mandatory target of increasing this to 65% by 2035. The North Corfu program, with its multi-coloured bins for various materials including second-hand clothing, is a direct implementation of recycling and reuse strategies to reduce overall waste.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• National and regional recycling rates: The article provides explicit quantitative data that serves as an indicator for Target 12.5. It states, “Recycling only reclaims around 20 percent of household waste in Greece. The European Union average was 48.2 percent in 2023.” This allows for direct measurement and comparison.
• Proportion of waste sent to landfills: An indicator for Target 11.6 is the amount of waste being properly managed versus being sent to landfills. The article mentions the EU rule that “only 10 percent of municipal waste can be buried in landfills” by 2035, providing a clear benchmark.
• Number of illegal landfills: The article provides a direct indicator of poor waste management (relevant to Target 12.4). It notes that Greece had “65 separate landfill cases” and that the government has brought this number “down to 20,” showing a measurable, albeit slow, progress.
• Per capita waste generation: The article implies this indicator for Target 11.6 by stating, “Each tourist generates an estimated three kilos (6.6 pounds) of garbage a day.” This figure can be used to measure the waste footprint of the tourism sector and track the effectiveness of reduction efforts.
• Incidents of illegal dumping: The specific mention of “200 tonnes of rotting meat… illegally dumped near a river” serves as a qualitative and quantitative indicator of failures in achieving environmentally sound waste management (Target 12.4) and the resulting pollution risks (Target 3.9).

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table

Source: keybiscayneportal.com