Güngör regular solid waste landfill turned into a wild dump

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Akanyeti: “This was foreseen!”
Cyprus International University (CIU) Environmental Engineering Faculty Member Assoc. Prof. Dr. İme Akanyeti, talking about the fire that took place in the Regular Solid Waste Storage Facility, said, "What we have foreseen has happened: Güngör regular solid waste landfill has turned into a wild dump."

Reminding that Güngör Regular Solid Waste Landfill was completed with European Union funding and has been collecting domestic solid waste since 2012.  Akanyeti noted that the Güngör landfill was operated in accordance with the rules in the first years of its use, but the situation has reached a level where public health is under threat, and especially in recent years due to poor management.

Akanyeti stated that as in all developed countries and unlike wild landfills, the area had all the necessary conditions to protect groundwater, soil, air quality and human health, and to minimize the negative effects. “However, as we have been saying for years, due to wrong operating methods and inoperative control mechanisms,  the facility which is worth millions of Euros, has today turned  into a wild storage area.”

Noting that today all kinds of waste, including construction and hazardous wastes, are collected at the facility, Akanyeti also underlined the fact that unfortunately no inspections were made at the facility.

Akanyeti stated that the problems experienced in Dikmen wild landfill years ago are now being experienced in Güngör area, and added, “Unfortunately, we are back to where we started. This is unacceptable. Public health across the island will be at stake.” 

Akanyeti said that the tender which is being prepared for the integrated solid waste management should include the rehabilitation of the Güngör Facility as well as the establishment of a new waste management system. 

Akanyeti also mentioned that the expert opinions are of great importance for the correct progress of the process, as  the tender specifications will determine the solid waste management style of our country for the next 30 years. 

Emphasizing that it is not enough to prepare the tender and its specifications correctly, Akanyeti noted that similar problems will arise as in the example in the Güngör sanitary landfill if the operation and inspection problems are not resolved when the new tender is concluded.