Greece

According to Greek Law No 2939 all enterprises producing or importing packaged products are obliged to collect and recycle the packaging of their products either by organizing an individual system for the alternative management of their packaging waste or by organizing and/or participating in a collective system. At the same time, local authorities are also legally obligated to see to the alternative management of their municipal packaging waste.

Moreover, according to the law, the national objectives are the following:

  • 60% (by weight ) recovery of the total of packaging waste out of which
  • At least 55% (by weight) recycling

In addition, the following percentages of recycling per material are anticipated:

  • 60% (by weight) glass
  • 60% (by weight) paper and cardboard
  • 50% (by weight) metals
  • 22.5% (by weight) plastics
  • 15% (by weight) wood

Legal basis

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In August 2001, Law 2939/01 on “Packaging and the Alternative Management of Packaging and Other Products” was passed. The said law lays down the obligation for the alternative management of packaging in our country and harmonizes our national legislation with the related European Union legislation and in particular with European Directive 94/62/EC. At this point, we should note that in 2004 a new EU Directive was issued amending the goals set by Directive 94/62/EC. The new goals were incorporated into the national legal framework by means of the Joint Ministerial Decision 9268/469.

In particular, all enterprises operating in our country and producing or importing packaged products, which are in turn supplied to the domestic market, are now obliged to collect and recycle the packaging of their products. At the same time, apart from packaging operators, Local Authorities are also legally obligated and are therefore required to see to the alternative management of municipal packaging waste.

Facts and figures

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Data 2012

 

Population 10.8 mil.
No. of local authorities 240 municipalities in the system
82% inhabitants covered by system
No. of companies in system 1,720 membres
Packaging introduced to the market
 400,000 tons
Recovered waste
 379,896 tons packaging waste
28 sorting centers
Types of packaging household, commercial and industrial
(1) The population of 2012 is according to the 2011 census by the National Statistical Service of Greece

Packaging organisation/s in Greece: