EU Commission refers Greece to the Court of Justice over illegal landfill
The European Commission is referring Greece to the Court of Justice of the EU over poor waste management on the Greek island of Corfu. The Commission's concerns relate to the Temploni landfill which has been operating in breach of EU waste and landfill legislation since at least 2007, and represents a serious risk for human health and the environment.
Various on-site inspections by national authorities have revealed that the Temploni landfill is operating very poorly and in breach of EU legislation. The shortcomings include improper management of biogas, missing treatment of liquid draining from the landfill (leachates), and the presence of waste which the site is not permitted to treat. The European Commission expressed its concerns in a letter of formal notice in March 2011 and in a reasoned opinion in January 2012. Although the Greek authorities have recognised this issue and are trying to address it, the necessary measures have still not been taken and the landfill continues to operate in breach of EU waste legislation, constituting a serious threat to the environment.
