The Cabinet has greenlit €636,899 to bankroll local authorities spearheading the shift toward a circular economy. This funding rewards municipalities and communities that defied the status quo in 2024 by implementing separate waste collection and the «Pay-As-You-Throw» (PAYT) system, serving as blueprints for the rest of Cyprus.
Cash rewards for waste pioneers
The financial injection targets areas proving that proactive waste management works. Aglantzia (now a Nicosia district department) secures €250,000 for its PAYT leadership, while Aradippou claims €265,609 for its rigorous separate collection of recyclables.
Other allocations include €30,000 each for Polis Chrysochous and the Tamassos Community Cluster. Additionally, €61,290 goes to the Agia Marina Chrysochous–Gialia cluster to sustain recycling programmes supported by the “Presvyteres” volunteer group.
Racing against EU deadlines
This move triggers a desperate push to meet looming EU targets. Cyprus must recycle 55% of municipal waste by 2025—a figure set to climb to 65% by 2035. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the biggest hurdle remains the separate collection of organic waste, such as food scraps and garden trimmings. The PAYT model, pioneered by Aglantzia, is the primary weapon to force citizens to slash their waste volume.
State aid is also plugging critical gaps in remote regions like Tamassos and Polis Chrysochous. These areas fall outside the reach of established systems like Green Dot, leaving local authorities to shoulder the extra costs of providing recycling access. This funding ensures rural residents aren’t penalised for their geography.
The €25 million overhaul
While today’s funding covers 2024, the Ministry of Agriculture is laying the groundwork for a massive €25 million project under the “THALIA” programme. The ultimate goal is universal “sorting at source” across the island.
Full nationwide implementation of «Pay-As-You-Throw» still faces legislative bottlenecks and a lack of infrastructure for organic waste. The Department of Environment is currently scrambling to resolve these issues alongside the Ministry of Interior.
Public benefit, not corporate profit
The State Aid Control Commissioner gave the payout the all-clear, confirming that the funding benefits the general public rather than private enterprises. The decision will hit the Official Gazette immediately, signaling that the state is now putting its money where its mouth is regarding environmental responsibility. The government’s aim is to roll out PAYT for large-scale waste producers by 2026.
