The South Aegean Region has launched the tender for a major environmental project: the creation of Integrated Recycling and Waste Recovery Units for the municipalities of Kos and Kalymnos, through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP). The goal is a definitive and holistic solution to waste management, focusing on reducing landfill, recovering materials/energy, and minimizing environmental impact.
The project includes two separate facilities: one in Kos (a Recycling and Recovery Unit with a Sanitary Landfill for Residues) and one in Kalymnos (a Preprocessing, Recovery and Recycling Unit). Together, they will manage 46,238 tons of waste annually, including mixed municipal waste, separately collected biowaste, and recyclable packaging materials.
The construction budget is estimated at €30.4 million, with 80% covered by public funding. This makes it the first PPP of its kind in Greece to receive such high public financial support. The project is part of the National Waste Management Plan (NWMP) and the South Aegean Regional Waste Management Plan (RWMP).
It is seen as a model for similar future projects across Greece and aims to end the operation of uncontrolled landfills (notably in Kalymnos), while setting a new standard for modern, sustainable waste management on the islands.
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