Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-002257/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Maria Zacharia (NI)
Directive 2008/98/EC, as amended by Directive (EU) 2018/851, establishes a mandatory prioritisation of waste management: prevention, re-use, recycling, recovery, disposal. It adds obligations for Member States to implement this hierarchy of priorities and to put in place measures for waste prevention and the circular economy. These principles are integrated into the circular economy strategy and are foundational to achieving climate neutrality by 2050, based on the European Green Deal and its action plan (COM(2020) 98 final).
In Greece, household waste recycling remains at exceptionally low levels (around 8-10 % in practice, up to 23 % on paper), without systematic prevention or sorting at source, according to Eurostat, the Hellenic National Registry of Certified Auditors and the Court of Auditors. The Government promotes incineration as a key strategy, on the basis of the 2020–2030 National Waste Management Plan. The creation or operation of units is planned in Attica, Boeotia, Rhodope, Kozani, Crete and the Peloponnese, with provision for incineration and mixed waste. Cement kilns are already being used (e.g. TITAN), while the 2020–2030 National Waste Management Plan provides for the possibility of utilising power plants – e.g. there is interest from Public Power Corporation in Lavrio – for incineration. This strategy constitutes a departure from the hierarchy and a substantial abandonment of prevention and circular management.
In view of the above:
- 1.Is the 2020–2030 National Waste Management Plan compatible with Article 4 of Directive 2008/98/EC?
- 2.Can the incineration of mixed waste without prevention, sorting and recycling be considered to be ‘recovery’?
- 3.Does the Commission intend to initiate control or infringement proceedings against Greece?
Submitted: 4.6.2025