Intensive efforts are underway at various levels to render the Integrated Waste Management Facility (OEDA) in Pentakomo, operational again, contributing to the faster implementation of the "Pay as you Throw" legislation, while local communities are increasing their pressure, declaring that they will seek its closure through legal action. On 06/02/2025, the Water Development Department validated a contract for the provision of services to prepare tender documents for hiring a contractor responsible for the operation, maintenance/repair, and partial upgrade of OEDA Pentakomou and the Limassol District Waste Transfer Station during a transitional (interim) period, as well as for supporting the Contracting Authority. The firm to which the contract was assigned is working towards this goal.
It should be noted that under this contract, the contractor will undertake the repair and maintenance of the existing OEDA equipment and implement all absolutely necessary upgrades. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, these interventions are expected to significantly improve the operation and efficiency of the facility, as they include upgrading the anaerobic biological treatment unit so it can receive separately collected organic waste, as well as upgrading the Biological Treatment Station for Leachate and Other Liquid Waste, to process leachate and for Phase B of the sanitary landfill site. In an effort to accelerate procedures for the anaerobic digester to become operational again (something considered crucial) and for the "pay as you throw" scheme to be implemented as soon as possible, the Limassol District Waste Disposal and Utilisation Council and the Limassol Development Company (which employs the facility’s staff since its requisition by the government) are trying to find an appropriate formula. Restarting the anaerobic digester, which receives organic waste (e.g. food scraps, green waste) and subjects it to controlled biological decomposition in an oxygen-free closed reactor, has been estimated to cost around €700,000.
At the same time, the Water Development Department has announced a competitive tender for the sale of source-separated and other recyclable waste from OEDA Limassol. Contract assignment will be made separately for each category of recyclable waste. The deadline for receipt of tenders or participation requests closed on 6 June 2025. The successful contractor will be responsible for collecting the waste (using their own personnel and equipment) from the OEDA Pentakomou facilities and transporting it, with their own vehicles, to a licensed facility for further management.
It is noted that the cost of collection and transport will be borne by each contractor according to their financial offer. The Contracting Authority will not provide personnel or equipment. The duration of the contract execution will be two months from the signing date, except for bulky waste, for which the duration will be six months from signing. In the meantime, the initiation of legal proceedings for the immediate termination of the operation of the OEDA Pentakomou due to the continuously worsening and unbearable situation in the area, as well as because it operates without the necessary permits, according to Pentakomo Community Leader Mr. George Oikonomou.
He stated that recently two fires broke out at OEDA in Pentakomo within the same 24-hour period, which were fortunately brought under control swiftly due to the timely intervention of the authorities. "The community can no longer watch these events with indifference," Mr. Oikonomou stated, announcing that legal action will be taken jointly with other neighbouring communities, seeking the definitive closure of OEDA Pentakomou.
