Ex post evaluation of Cohesion Policy programmes 2007-2013, focusing on the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and Cohesion Fund (CF) : work package 6, environment : executive summary

The necessity for the project arose due to illegal waste dumping taking place in the ravine of Kouroupitos on the island of Crete. Non-compliance with European law by Greek authorities led to the condemnation of Greece by the European Court of Justice and to the imposition of heavy fines. Under this pressure and due to negative publicity, the Greek Authorities in September 2000 submitted to the European Commission, DG Regional Policy, an application for financing of a project for the construction of solid waste management and recycling facilities. The objectives of building the Solid Waste Recycling, Composting Plant and a new landfill site were to collect and treat waste produced by the Municipalities of Chania, Akrotiri, Souda, Keramies, Eleftherios Venizelos, Therisos, Kydonia, Platania and Mousouri. In addition, excess capacity of the plant was likely to offer the possibility of serving the entire Prefecture of Chania. Population served: approximately 110,000 inhabitants. Chania is the largest city in the area with a population of approximately 50,000 people. The total investment comprised a solid waste recycling facility, a composting facility, a new landfill consisting of two cells and a biological treatment facility.