WRITTEN QUESTION P-1337/03

by Antonios Trakatellis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(3 April 2003)

Subject: Protecting the environment from the discharge of sludge into landfill sites and the implementation of integrated waste management in Greece

Thousands of tons of sludge from the sewage treatment plant in Psittalia are being deposited in the landfill in Ano Liosion in Attica, and, despite the fact that it is required by Community environmental law, integrated waste management is not practised. This situation is creating several problems in the functioning of the landfill (continual landslips and subsidence), and contravenes Community law by endangering public health while at the same time damaging the environment.

1. What measures will the Commission take, as guardian of the treaties and Community law on the protection of human health and the environment in Greece, and to ensure that Community rules in the waste sector are complied with?

2. How will the Commission ensure that Greece complies in the area of integrated waste management, which requires the treatment of sludge (drying of sludge), its use as fuel for energy production and the sustainable operation of sewage treatment plants?

3. Is sludge subject to preliminary treatment so as not to exceed permissible levels of concentrated heavy metals or other dangerous substances under Community legislation, and what is the extent of compliance with the provisions of Directive 75/442/EEC(1) on waste, as amended by Directive 91/156/EEC(2), and those of Directive 1999/31/EC(3) on the landfill of waste?

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

(2) OJ L 78, 26.3.1991, p. 32.

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

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(14 May 2003)

Waste management operations must meet the requirements of Council Directive 75/442/EEC of 15 July 1975 on waste, as amended by Council Directive 91/156/EEC of 18 March 1991, and of Council Directive 1999/31/EC of 26 April 1999 on the landfill of waste.

1. The Commission had initiated infringement proceedings against Greece for failure to transpose Directive 1999/31/EC. However, now that the Greek authorities have adopted and notified to the Commission measures incorporating the Directive into national law (joint ministerial decision 29407/3508/10.12.2002), Greece is deemed to have met this requirement. The notified measures are being examined to check conformity with the provisions of Directive 1999/31/EC.

Regarding Directive 75/442/EC, as the Greek authorities have admitted that there are around 1 400 illegal or unregulated landfills in the country and that 60 % of household waste is disposed of in sites which do not meet the requirements of Community legislation, the Commission has initiated infringement proceedings against Greece. A reasoned opinion was addressed to Greece in December 2002. If Greece does not comply with the reasoned opinion, the Commission may decide to bring the matter before the Court of Justice.

2. and 3. Regarding the treatment of sewage sludge from the waste water treatment plant in Psittalia, the Commission does not believe the Greek authorities have taken all necessary measures to ensure that the sludge is reused on the site where it is produced in order to ensure recovery or disposal without endangering human health or harming the environment. On the contrary, the sludge is taken to the landfill in Ano Liosia which is already almost full to capacity. In October 2002 the Commission sent Greece a letter of formal notice,

thereby initiating infringement proceedings as provided for in Article 226 of the EC Treaty. The Greek authorities replied, giving their comments. The reply is now being examined. If the Commission finds that Greece has failed to meet the requirements of Community legislation, it will deliver a reasoned opinion on the matter.

It should be noted that the Commission recently received a complaint on the malfunctioning of the landfill in Ano Liosia, also linked to the discharge of sewage sludge from Psittalia on this site. The Commission will not hesitate to take all necessary measures to ensure that Community law is observed.