Kalymnos Waste Management Dispute Escalates
KALYMNOS, June 25, 2026 – The municipal opposition group “Kalymnos allazei” (“Kalymnos Changes”) has formally requested a special session of the Kalymnos Municipal Council dedicated exclusively to the island’s waste management crisis, urging local authorities to provide clear answers on the current situation.
In a letter addressed to Municipal Council President Dimitrios Maragkos, the group’s leader, George Mavros, states that nearly two months have passed since the opposition first requested a dedicated council meeting on the landfill issue, despite what it describes as a commitment by the municipal administration to hold such a discussion.
According to the letter, significant developments have occurred during that period, including the closure of the landfill by private parties, resulting in serious sanitation problems across the island and growing tensions within the Municipal Council. The opposition also raises concerns over the transportation of waste to the neighboring island of Kos without what it describes as sufficient public clarification, as well as the continued burning of waste, which it argues may pose risks to the health of both residents and visitors.
The opposition is calling on the municipal administration to convene the council within the coming week in order to present its strategy for managing waste until an interim solution is fully implemented. The letter stresses that constructive dialogue can lead to common ground, while warning that, should no action be taken, the group will consider all legal means available to safeguard public health.
Waste management remains one of the most pressing issues facing Kalymnos, with local residents closely watching the municipality’s next steps in addressing the ongoing environmental and public health challenges.
