Editorial To Vima: A country that lives with trash

The continuing chaos with trash piled up in streets and squares is a disgrace for a country that wants to belong to the civilised world.

It would take only one accident at Attica’s only landfill site for the streets of the capital to drown in garbage.

The same thing is happening in almost all of Greece. From Kerkyra to the Peloponnese and the islands, mounds of trash are a commonplace sight.

For at least the last ten years, everyone knows that the landfill at Liosia has reached its limit, but no one is moved. A few years ago, we saw huge clashes in Keratea, with the full support of cadres of the current government, but we are still awaiting a solution. The same is happening in almost the entire country, with residents reacting and trying to saddle others with their trash.

We are constantly being slapped with fines by the European Union because we maintain unacceptable landfills, without fundamental environmental protection measures, but no one cares. With the huge responsibility of central and regional authorities, we are sweeping the problem under the carpet, waiting for some magician to solve it.

On the one hand we have local societies which refuse to confront reality, and on the other hand those in power do not dare to solve a chronic problem due to fear of the political cost.

We need not reinvent the wheel. All civilised countries have not only solved the problem, but also utilise trash in various ways, having educated their citizens.

We want neither landfills nor burning, when in other countries suitable units are in the city centres, without anyone being disturbed or reacting.

We receive millions of tourists amidst mounds of garbage, obviously for them to admire our natural environment.

We face an absolutely borderline situation right now. Athens, Attica and other locations are in danger of reaching an impasse at any moment.

At long last, let those responsible assume their responsibilities, before they find the trash at their doorstep.

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