The company won the tender for the project despite proposing kiosks that would cost approximately five times more than prevailing market prices, reports 24brussels.
Concerns have emerged regarding whether EDSNA properly assessed a reasonable budget for the recycling centers. The market research that informed the bid was conducted with two companies sharing a common interest and exclusive relationship, which ultimately submitted the sole bid and secured the contract, according to a report from local media.
After the second audit completed in July, a €3 million fine was levied—half the amount of EU funds allocated for the recycling centers in three regions. This development was first reported by Greece’s newspaper Kathimerini.
Failed obligations
Greece’s struggle with recycling and compliance with EU waste regulations remains glaring. Eurostat’s 2022 data reveals that the country’s municipal waste recycling rate was just 17 percent, a stark contrast to the EU average of 49 percent.
The European Commission has found that Greece is likely to miss its targets of recycling 55 percent of municipal waste and 65 percent of packaging waste this year. Furthermore, the country has significantly failed to meet the 2020 objective of recycling 50 percent of its municipal waste, as outlined in the 2025 environmental implementation review.
As one of five EU nations facing fines for noncompliance with environmental directives, Greece has already paid about €230 million to Brussels for these breaches. Currently, there are 19 active infringement cases against Greece regarding environmental issues, with six pertaining specifically to waste management, ranging from illegal landfilling to inadequate enforcement of packaging waste laws. Local NGOs continue to raise alarms over systemic failures within the sector.