From Landfill to Environmental Landmark
On World Environment Day, South Aegean Regional Governor Giorgos Hatzimarkos highlighted the region’s environmental achievements, emphasizing that environmental protection should be measured through tangible results rather than slogans.
In a social media post published today, Hatzimarkos pointed to the transformation of the Kos landfill facility (XYTA) as a striking example of the progress achieved across the islands of the South Aegean. Comparing past and present images of the site, he described the dramatic change from what was once considered an environmental burden into a modern waste management facility that recently received approved Environmental Terms.
According to the Regional Governor, the Kos project represents only one of dozens of environmental projects that have been completed, are currently under construction, or are in the tendering phase throughout the region. These include waste management facilities, wastewater treatment plants, water supply infrastructure, desalination units and flood protection projects.
He also highlighted several innovative sustainability initiatives, including the “Gr-Eco Islands” program in Halki, “Just Go Zero” in Tilos, “AstyBus” in Astypalea and “The Rhodes Co-Lab” initiative in Rhodes.
In addition, he referred to community engagement actions such as the large-scale distribution of household composting units to residents across the South Aegean islands.
Hatzimarkos stated that the South Aegean Region and the South Aegean Waste Management Authority (FoDSA) have launched what he described as the largest environmental investment program in the history of the islands, with funding exceeding €1 billion.
The Regional Governor also criticized what he sees as attempts to use environmental issues as a field for political confrontation rather than problem-solving, arguing that environmental protection requires planning, funding, licensing procedures, persistence and implementation.
“Our islands do not have the luxury of stagnation. They have the obligation of progress,” he stated, reaffirming the region’s commitment to delivering measurable environmental improvements and a better future for coming generations across every island of the South Aegean.
