The answer to the problem of the linear economic model is the transition to a circular economy, where the value of raw materials and natural resources remains in the economy for as long as possible and waste production is kept to a minimum, said Minister of Energy, Commerce and Industry Natasa Pilides.

Speaking during the presentation of the National Action Plan for the Promotion and Strengthening of the Circular Economy, at a workshop on the “Transition to the Circular Economy: Opportunities and Challenges for Industry”, in Nicosia, the Minister first referred to the problems of the linear economic model.

She noted that the transition from the linear to the circular model creates opportunities for economic transformation, for sustainable development, for achieving more productivity and more competitive advantages.

Referring to the National Action Plan for the circular economy, with a total cost of 90 million euros, the Minister said that it is divided into 4 Pillars.

The 1st Pillar is about informing the business community and the consumers about the prospects and business opportunities offered by the circular economy.

The 2nd Pillar concerns the provision of incentives and includes the Business coaching plan and the development of skills. It also includes the “Go Circular” Sponsorship Plans in order to develop and create new products and services, as the Minister pointed out.

The 3rd Pillar concerns the infrastructure, and includes the hierarchical study for the determination of declassified waste.

Pilides said that the 4th Pillar, concerns the management of Municipal waste and includes the program “Pay as you throw” for a separate collection of municipal waste, the program of prevention, separate collection and utilization of waste in mountainous areas, the construction and operation of a network of green recycling points for the service of remote communities, as well as the program for source sorting and domestic composting of organic waste.

In his address, the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Costas Kadis, said that for the first time in Cyprus, measures of a comprehensive plan are expected to be implemented, to lead to the achievement of the ambitious goals set by the EU in the field of waste management.

As he said, the planning of his Ministry includes five pillars of activities. The formulation of the appropriate legislative framework that will ensure the sorting at the source and the separate collection of municipal waste, the support of the Local Authorities to implement this new legal framework, the encouragement and support of the creation of the necessary infrastructure for the integrated management of waste. The 5th Pillar concerns the information and awareness of the public, in order to implement these new policies.

Kadis assured that the Ministry of Agriculture will work closely with the Ministry of Energy, and all stakeholders, to implement the new ambitious Plan.

Source: CNA