The Waste Management Unit (WMU) in Skala Laconia is now fully operational, marking another milestone for the Integrated Waste Management project in the Peloponnese Region.

At a special event held today at the WPU of Laconia, the political leadership of the Ministry of Environment and Energy, the Peloponnese Region, and representatives of the local community and media had the opportunity to tour the state-of-the-art facilities of the Unit and to observe all stages of the integrated waste management now taking place in Laconia.

Among the numerous advantages of the new unit, it is worth mentioning that the Sanitary Landfill Site (SLS) is located near the facility, allowing for the minimization of waste and residue transportation. It is reminded that integrated waste management has already commenced at Palaiochouni Unit in Arcadia, while integrated waste management at Kalliroi Unit in Messinia is expected to commence within 2024.

Overall, this constitutes an investment of 167 million euros (70 million euros funded by ESPA), which includes 3 Waste Processing Units (WPUs), 3 Sanitary Landfill Sites (SLSs), 2 Transfer Stations (WTSs)and is developed in 3 Subsection - Management Units of the Peloponnese Region. Specifically, the WPUs-SLSs are located in Arcadia, Messinia, and Laconia, while WTSs are in Corinthia and Argolis.

This ensures that waste collection occurs within a distance of less than 50 kilometers from the regional capitals, minimizing the transportation needs of the municipalities. In the context of this project, 200 permanent jobs are anticipated during the operational period, i.e., almost for the next 30 years, without taking into account the stimulation of indirect employment from the operation of the project in the area (transportation, trade of recyclables, etc.). In the short operating period of the project, the Peloponnese Region has been permanently relieved of European fines related to past illegal practices.

Additionally, the use of cutting-edge technology allows for the lowest operating costs of all comparable waste management facilities in the nation. When FODSA completes the network of Waste Transfer Stations (WTSs), the cost will even be lower, providing the Peloponnese's residents with significant savings.