EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 78/67

(2004/C 78 E/0067)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2031/03

by Antonios Trakatellis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(12 June 2003)

Subject: Implementation of Community legislation on solid waste and the landfill of waste in Greece

A study carried out by the National Centre for the Environment states that over 90 % of urban waste is disposed of in landfill sites (legal or otherwise), while a mere 8 % is recycled and 1 % composted. However, it is reported that the mechanical waste sorting unit is not only not functioning, it also fails to meet EU specifications and is technologically outdated compared to the optimum available technology.

Given that the Commission has initiated proceedings against Greece for failing to comply with the waste directives — in particular Directive 75/442/EEC (1) on waste — and that all EU Member States are obliged, on the basis of Directive 1999/31/EC (2) on the landfill of waste, to draw up a national strategy and to notify the Commission thereof by 16 July 2003 at the latest and to take specific measures in respect of existing landfill sites, will the Commission say:

1. Has Greece complied with Community legislation on waste, in particular on solid waste, and what measures has the Commission taken to protect the environment and public health from the uncontrolled dumping of hazardous and other waste in Greece?

2. How does it judge the operation of the mechanical waste sorting unit in Liossia, according to environmental criteria and in the light of the best available technology, and what amount of Community resources has been used for the construction of this plant which is not functioning?

3. Has Greece announced a national strategy for the landfill of waste and in respect of how many of the existing landfill sites has a waste disposal plan been drawn up and adopted, including gas control and collection measures, measures in respect of hazardous waste and measures to reduce biodegradable urban waste intended for landfill, particularly through recycling, composting and biogas production or materials/energy recovery, as laid down in Directive 1999/31/EC?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(10 July 2003)

1. The Commission is aware of the problem of the uncontrolled disposal of waste in Greece. On the basis of information transmitted by the Greek authorities and following a large number of complaints, the Commission initiated infringement proceedings under Article 226 of the EC Treaty in July 2002. The Greek authorities acknowledged that 1399 illegal or uncontrolled landfills were still operating at the end of 2002 and said that a new waste management plan was about to be adopted. According to their timetable, all illegal landfills will be closed by the end of 2007 and replaced by permanent facilities. In December 2002 the Commission delivered a reasoned opinion under Article 226 of the EC Treaty inviting Greece to take the necessary measures to comply with the requirements of Directive 75/442/EEC of 15 July 1975 (3) on waste, as amended by Directive 91/156/EEC of 18 March 1991 (4) If Greece does not fulfil its obligations, the Commission will not hesitate to bring the matter before the Court of Justice.

2. The project mentioned by the Honourable Member consists of a waste sorting unit and a composting plant. It was cofinanced by the ERDF, under the Regional Operational Programme (ROP) for Attica. The total amount of Community cofinancing was EUR 54,3 million: EUR 33,2 million under Attica's ROP for 1994-1999 and EUR 21,1 million under Attica's ROP for 2000-2006. The total cost of the facilities cofinanced was EUR 72,4 million. According to the information available to the Commission at present, the facilities underwent several operating trials. First there were problems, then an accident occurred and now they are apparently not in operation. To date, the authorities responsible have provided no satisfactory explanation for the situation. The Commission will follow the matter up and could, if required, order the recovery of Community cofinancing used for the construction of the facilities. It does not have any information on the site's environmental performance.

3. Greece has not yet submitted its national strategy on the reduction of biodegradable waste going to landfills. Directive 1999/31/EC of 26 April 1999 (5) on the landfill of waste requires Member States to draw up this strategy by 16 July 2003 and to submit it to the Commission as soon as possible. For existing landfills the Directive requires each operator to present a conditioning plan to the authorities setting out the necessary measures to adapt the landfill to the requirements of the Directive. The Commission does not have any information on the number of existing landfills for which conditioning plans have been drawn up.

(1) OJ L 194, 25.7.1975, p. 39.

(2) OJ L 182, 16.7.1999, p. 1.

(3) OJ L 194, 25.7.1975.

(4) OJ L 78, 26.3.1991.

(5) OJ L 182, 16.7.1999.