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Greece’s Waste-to-Energy Strategy Targets Landfill Reduction and Clean Energy, but Sparks Environmental Concerns

Recycling and Waste Management

Business Honor
20 May, 2025

New incineration plants aim to produce fuel and electricity from waste, but critics warn of emissions and toxic risks.

Greece is moving forward with an ambitious waste-to-energy initiative aimed at reducing reliance on landfills while generating electricity and alternative fuels. As part of this strategy, the Environment Ministry has launched a public consultation to address environmental and public concerns.

Six incineration facilities are currently under development across the country—in Rodopi, Viotia, Kozani, Attica, the Peloponnese, and Iraklio. Together, these plants are expected to process up to 1.186 million tons of waste annually, generating 1.3 million tons of alternative fuel and producing approximately 1,030 GWh of electricity. Additionally, around 150,000 tons of high-quality materials will be redirected to the cement industry.

By 2023, the Greek government hopes to reduce landfill use to below 10%, aligning with broader EU sustainability targets. Municipal gate fees for waste processing will be comparable to landfill costs, ranging from €106 to €138 per ton, while energy output from the facilities will receive subsidies of €80.92 per megawatt-hour. Additional revenue will be generated through the sale of recovered scrap metal.

However, the plan has drawn criticism from environmental groups, including the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), which warns about CO₂ emissions and the potential release of toxic substances such as heavy metals during incineration. These pollutants could contaminate soil and water, raising concerns about long-term environmental and public health impacts.

This growing pushback mirrors a broader debate across Europe, where several countries are reconsidering waste-to-energy policies due to environmental and climate implications. The Greek government is expected to adjust or refine its plan following public and expert feedback during the consultation phase.