The Ministry of Environment, Physical Planning and Public Works (YPECHODE) has approved “FOTOKYKLOSI S.A.”, a collective recycling scheme for luminaires and lamps.
According to Minister of Environment, Physical Planning and Public Works Giorgos Souflias, recycling has quadrupled, with the share of waste being recycled rising to 25% in 2008, up from 6% in 2004.
The aim of the “FOTOKYKLOSI S.A.” scheme is to organise the recycling of luminaires and lamps across Greece.
The “FOTOKYKLOSI S.A.” scheme includes 48 operators representing 54 companies, all of them manufacturers and importers of luminaires, some of which also import lamps.
The total quantity of luminaires and lamps placed on the market by the participants in “FOTOKYKLOSI S.A.” comes to 6,454 tonnes a year (6,309 tonnes of luminaires and 145 tonnes of lamps).
As regards the organisation of collection points, the plan provides for bins to be installed in retail stores selling luminaires and lamps, for bins or containers to be placed with large users, and for cooperation with municipalities to extend collection to municipal sites as well.
Greece’s goal is to reach, by 2012, the average recycling level of the 15 EU member states, which stands at 33%.
Source: www.in.gr
