Corfu, January 21 – The Ionian Islands are establishing themselves as leaders in waste management within Greece, following the official announcement by Regional Governor and President of the Ionian Islands Solid Waste Management Body (FODSA), Giannis Trepeklis. Speaking at the New Year’s pie cutting ceremony at the Temploni Landfill Site on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, Governor Trepeklis highlighted the commencement of a “new era” in waste management across the Ionian Islands, with a particular focus on Corfu.
A New Era for Waste Management in Corfu
The ceremony, attended by the Mayor of North Corfu and Vice President of FODSA, Giorgos Machimaris, and the Deputy Regional Governor for Small Islands & Intra-Regional Transport, Spyros Argyros, marked a pivotal moment for environmental sustainability. Governor Trepeklis expressed his satisfaction with the progress, emphasizing the operational status of the upgraded Material Recovery Facility (KDAY) and the contracting of the flagship project for the construction of an Integrated Waste Management Unit (IWMU) in Temploni.
“We are entering a new era concerning waste management. The image that previously plagued Corfu and Temploni will no longer exist. Today, we are in a position to have contracted the project for the Integrated Waste Management Unit, and the transfer of waste from the site where the factory will be built has been completed. It will be a state-of-the-art factory, of the latest generation, like those we, as local government officials, have seen in Europe in previous years and envied,” stated Governor Trepeklis.
Financial Benefits and Environmental Impact
The Governor further elaborated on the financial implications for citizens. “There will be proper management, which the citizens’ wallets will be able to bear, because as we know, waste management is cost-recovery oriented, and therefore when the cost rises, the burden on citizens and businesses also rises. The time will come, through proper management, when instead of increases, we will be talking about reductions in fees. And this is a commitment. The residue here at the factory will be approximately 15%, and the Sanitary Landfill (XYTY) will be right next to it, thus ending the image of accumulated waste and bales. We are now at a very good stage.”
Beyond Corfu, Mr. Trepeklis also referred to the upgrading of corresponding Integrated Waste Management Units on the other Ionian Islands, asserting that the Region is now a pioneer in waste management.
“I want to thank the FODSA executives for their cooperation; it is an honor for us to deliver to Corfu something that will stop the image of previous years that harmed the island. We will improve our environmental footprint and, of course, significantly relieve the budgets of the Municipalities. FODSA is now operating exemplarily, has gained prestige, and the public must be informed about the work being done by the Body. Because the Corfu project is a top project, with waste management reaching 80,000 tons annually.”
Future Plans for the Ionian Islands
The Governor also announced future plans: “I also want to announce that next week I will sign the upgrade of both the Kefalonia and Zakynthos Units, while at the same time the planning and implementation for the corresponding factory in Lefkada will begin soon.”
“We must say that the Ionian Islands are pioneers; we have only the second FODSA in all of Greece that has a ready holistic waste management plan, something very important, as without it, we would not have contracted the Corfu factory project today.”
This comprehensive approach to waste management is expected to significantly improve the environmental quality of the Ionian Islands and provide a sustainable model for other regions in Greece.
