The signing of the protocol for the handover of a 65-acre area on the island marks the beginning of a solution that Kalymnos needs for waste management issues.
In Rhodes on June 3rd, 2024, the protocol for the handover of a 65-acre area on the island was signed by the President of the Waste Management Authority of South Aegean (ΦοΔΣΑ Νοτίου Αιγαίου) and Regional Governor George Hatzimarkos, and the Mayor of Kalymnos, Yannis Mastrokoukos. The Municipality of Kalymnos ensured the acquisition of this land for the planning of a solution to the critical issue of waste management.
With the transfer of the land, only for use, to the Waste Management Authority of South Aegean, the Waste Management Authority, which includes the Mayor of Kalymnos on its board, now has an active role in solving the significant environmental issue that has plagued the island for decades. Until now, due to the lack of a landfill or other relevant environmental infrastructure, the Waste Management Authority had no role in waste management issues on Kalymnos.
The President of the Waste Management Authority, Regional Governor George Hatzimarkos, stated:
“I am pleased that from today we have acquired an active, and legal role as the Waste Management Authority of South Aegean in the major issue of waste management on the island of Kalymnos. We can now proceed with our participation in the planning and implementation of the solutions that the island needs. As I have said before, and more importantly, as I have committed, both to the Municipality of Kalymnos and to the people of the island, we must turn the page on waste management on the island. We are in the final stages of planning specific solutions, and by the end of July, we will be in Kalymnos for updates and joint decision-making. We do not play games with environmental issues.”
The Mayor of Kalymnos, Yannis Mastrokoukos, stated:
“When policies are based on serious cooperation, with dignity and effectiveness, we are led to solutions. The cooperation between the Municipality of Kalymnos and the Waste Management Authority of South Aegean has these characteristics. The Waste Management Authority, with the signing of the protocol for handover, has begun the implementation of the largest environmental project on our island.
