One of the key topics of this year’s Elafonisos Eco Week was “Waste and Water Management.” During the conferences on the first day, Giannis Smyrniotis, President of the Solid Waste Management Agency of Peloponnese, opened his speech by acknowledging the crucial role of Elafonisos Eco in raising awareness about sustainable resource management and the urgent need for modern solutions to long-standing environmental challenges.
He began by reflecting on the region’s troubled history in waste handling. “We used to be ashamed,” he admitted, citing years marked by illegal landfills, lack of infrastructure, and municipal incapacity. The creation of FODSA in 2012, under the Calicrates reform, through the merger of seven local waste bodies, laid the groundwork-but without licensed landfills, progress stalled.
It was only in 2021, nearly a decade later, that a crucial contract was signed-marking the real beginning of transformation in the region’s waste management strategy.
Today, Smyrniotis noted, the situation is “much better.” Three state-of-the-art waste management units are now operating in Arcadia, Laconia, and Messinia, complemented by two transfer stations in Nea Kios and Spathovouni. A network of 15 transfer stations is planned, with seven tenders already completed and contracts under review. “We’re finally entering a new era,” he declared, underscoring the importance of fully leveraging public-private partnerships to maximize the impact of this infrastructure.
Beyond facilities, Smyrniotis emphasized grassroots action, including municipal “recycling corners” and school-based education programs to instill a culture of waste separation at the source. A major focus is on transforming treatment plants into real recycling centers and aligning efforts with national circular economy goals.
Looking forward, he called for sustained collaboration between local, regional, and national authorities, as well as civil society. He expressed special thanks to the Ministry of Environment, Secretary General Manolis Grafakos, and Mr. Charalambidis of the Peloponnese Regional Authority for their strategic leadership and practical support.