Recycling in Athens

The recycling in the municipality of Athens, started systematically in 2005, when 600 recycle bins where placed. In Athens, so far, there are green bins for general and organic rubbish, while blue bins are suitable for recycling. Now in 2013, there are already more than 7500 blue bins and 12.500 green, and the amount of recycling ingredients that are being received are about 43.000 tones every year. (The information about the numbers is from the interview of Mr. Varelas, the deputy mayor of Athens, in www.in2life.gr.)

However, the mayor problem of the recycling is that, often, organic rubbish is thrown in the blue bins (those for recycling). This is due to the lack of knowledge but mostly because of indifference, mainly when green bins are next to blue ones. In addition, somebody can usually see clay objects, pieces of wood, as well as many other things which can?t be recycled, while many rubbish that could be recycled, is thrown in the green (normal) bins.

The issue that has appeared now, during the economic crisis, is that it is hard for the municipality to afford the cost of recycling and often there have been many complaints that some of the blue bins, along with the green, end up in rubbish dumps.

Another issue, that has shown its face, is the fact that hundreds of economical refugees that live in Athens, in order to earn some money to live, are looking into the blue bins and take away anything which can be sold, such as paper and metal objects. In one hand, it is their way of living, but on the other hand, they make the recycling process less profitable for the municipality as well as the companies that have invested in order to  make money out of the recyclable materials.

It is sad, but the economical crisis, has guided to the downgrading of the environment.

The only financially affordable solution of this problem is the information and further, the sensitization of people about those ecological problems. We must look forward to a better world! ?It is too late to be pessimistic? – HOME, 2008

Thanks very much for your attention!