House of Representatives President Annita Demetriou warned about forthcoming challenges in local governance during her address at the 2nd Cyprus Forum Cities event. Deputy Minister Nikodemos Damianou outlined the Cyprus government’s plans for smart city development, including the Smart Cyprus initiative. Deputy Minister Irene Piki emphasized the critical role of cities in improving citizens’ quality of life.
By the end of 2024, Cyprus plans to implement the “Pay As You Throw” (PAYT) scheme for waste management, initially covering 67% of its population. The scheme encourages waste reduction and recycling by charging residents based on the amount of waste they produce. The first phase will involve six municipalities, representing 30% of the population, with pricing for waste disposal to be determined through preparatory studies. By June 2024, studies for additional municipalities covering 37% of the population are expected to be completed, with further expansions planned. Preliminary pricing suggests a charge of 6 cents per liter for waste bags. A compulsory waste separation and collection system for recyclables and other materials will be implemented by June 30, 2024. Recycling targets for various materials range from 25% to 85% by 2025 to 2030. Environmental data from 2021 showed a per capita waste production of 633 kg, with a recycling and reuse rate of 15.3%. Concerns have been raised about the impact of fixed charges on households and the need for improved organic waste management. The European directive sets recycling targets of 55% by 2025, increasing to 65% by 2035, and mandates separate collection of specific waste types by set deadlines.