A Memorandum of Collaboration, within the framework of the LIFE-IP CEI-Greece project – LIFE18 IPE/GR/000013 «Implementation of Circular Economy in Greece»– was signed by the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MEEN) of Greece and the Municipality of Andravida-Kyllini (Regional Unit of Ilia) to promote and utilize the region’s agro-food waste in accordance with the principles of the circular economy.
As stated by Mr. Manolis Grafakos, Secretary-General for Waste Management Coordination at MEEN, «This voluntary cooperation marks another significant step in promoting the circular economy in our country, focusing on utilizing agro-food waste. Linking environmental policy with agricultural production can create new opportunities for local communities and significantly contribute to the transition to a more sustainable model. The LIFE-IP CEI-Greece project plays a key role in this effort by enabling pilot applications that can serve as models for all of Greece. We continue to steadily strengthen the bioeconomy and protect the environment through strategic partnerships and targeted actions, focusing on the real needs of local communities.»
The Mayor of Andravida-Kyllini, Mr. Ioannis Lentzas, stated, «We are pleased to have signed the memorandum of collaboration with the LIFE-IP CEI-Greece led by the Ministry of Environment and Energy of Greece. The Municipality of Andravida-Kyllini has been consistently striving to become greener and more environmentally friendly over the years. Under this voluntary collaboration, we aim to contribute to implementing pioneering solutions for source segregation and further sustainable management of agro-food waste — a long-standing demand of our producers — as well as to create composting infrastructure and a branch shredder. I warmly thank Mr. Manolis Grafakos, Secretary-General for Waste Management Coordination at MEEN, and Ms. Maria Tsakona, Special Waste Management Advisor at MEEN, for their cooperation.”
Present at the signing of the Voluntary Cooperation Agreement were Ms. Maria Tsakona, Special Advisor to MEEN; Mr. Panagiotis Vaggelakos, Deputy Mayor for Civil Protection and Sanitation; and Mr. Georgios Sklavenitis, Deputy Mayor for Planning and Development.
Agro-food waste refers to agricultural and livestock residues, including, among others, crop residues, discarded fruits and vegetables, and waste derived from livestock farming.
The objective of the voluntary agreement is to develop partnerships for the optimal management of this waste, based on the principles of the circular economy. Through these collaborations, systems will be established that rely on innovative technologies, create new value chains and jobs, and reduce the final volume of generated waste.
The cooperation between the Ministry and the Municipality of Andravida-Kyllini will be strengthened through regular meetings, focused on knowledge exchange and the collection of information on best waste management practices and funding opportunities for investments in this sector. Additionally, an Agro-food Waste Management Plan (AWMP) will be developed, tailored to the specific characteristics of the region and proposing specialized solutions for the utilization of local agro-food waste.
This initiative is part of the LIFE-IP CEI-Greece project, coordinated by the Ministry of Environment & Energy, which promotes voluntary agreements for the circular utilization of agro-food waste at the local and regional levels, supporting the transition to a circular economy.
More information about LIFE-IP CEI-Greece – Circular Greece “Νo time to waste” is available at the project’s website: www.circulargreece.gr and on social media:
- https://www.facebook.com/CircularGreece/
- https://twitter.com/CircularGreece
- https://www.linkedin.com/company/life-ip-cei-greece-circular-greece/
- https://www.instagram.com/circulargreece/
- https://youtube.com/@circulargreece
Read the Press Release here.
