European Commission Declares Corfu’s Untreated Waste Disposal in Vlacherna Illegal
Corfu, March 12, 2026 – The European Commission has delivered a significant blow to Greek authorities, unequivocally stating that the disposal of untreated waste from Corfu in the Vlacherna landfill is illegal. This ruling has put the political leadership of the Ministry of Environment and the administration of the Compulsory Waste Management Association under intense scrutiny.
The Commission’s stance confirms that the practices followed violate European law, irrevocably exposing the involved parties. The first to be implicated is the Secretary General of Waste Management, Manolis Grafakos, as both mixed waste from Corfu and animal remains, hastily buried near Kalogirou Bridge, were transferred to Vlacherna under his direct orders and instructions.
European Commission: What European Law Stipulates
The European Commission is categorical: sanitary landfilling of waste is permitted only after full treatment. Commissioner for Environment, Jessika Roswall, emphasized in her response:
- The disposal of mixed (commingled) waste that has not undergone sorting is prohibited.
- Stabilization of the organic fraction is required before any deposition.
- Referral Reminder: The Commission has already initiated infringement proceedings against Greece for similar illegal practices in other regions.
The Background to the ‘Secret’ Transfer to Vlacherna
The intervention by MEP Sakis Arnaoutoglou followed strong reactions and legal action by the four Municipalities of the Arta Regional Unit (Artaion, Nikolaos Skoufas, Georgios Karaiskakis, and Central Tzoumerka). According to allegations:
- The transfer began without institutional notification and ‘secretly’ from local authorities.
- The process was activated by a document from the Secretary General of Waste Management, bypassing the decisions of the Municipalities. There are reports that the loads contained untreated waste, while the Vlacherna landfill is licensed exclusively for treated residue.
Sakis Arnaoutoglou: ‘The Government Owes Explanations’
Following the Commission’s damning response, the PASOK MEP stated characteristically:
“The European Commission is clear: the disposal of untreated waste is prohibited. The Government cannot bypass local self-government and create faits accomplis behind closed doors, degrading the lives of the citizens of Arta. Local communities are not the ‘easy recipient’ of problems created elsewhere.”
Responsibility Shifts to Greek Judicial Authorities
The Commission notes that national and judicial authorities are now responsible for ensuring compliance with EU law and for conducting the necessary checks on the Vlacherna landfill. This development adds a new dimension to the ongoing prosecutorial investigation following the appeal by the Municipalities of Arta.
Source: epiruspost
