Athens Mayor Haris Doukas announced this week the operation of a waste transfer station in Eleonas expected to improve waste management efforts in the Greek capital.
The mayor together with his counterpart from the neighbouring municipality of Egaleo, Lambros Sklavounos, were given a tour of the station during a special launch event this week.
Referring to the project, Doukas said the transfer station would “radically change waste management. With a processing capacity of at least 400 tons per day, this facility is one of the most modern in Europe. We reduce the volume of waste by 50%, save resources, avoid overloading landfills and reduce emissions by improving traffic in the city,” he said.
Athens Mayor Haris Doukas meets with employees of the Eleonas waste transfer station. Photo credit: City of Athens
The transfer station, being implemented by Ilektor SA and Kaoussis, can handle 400 tons of waste per day, process 180 tons of municipal waste, 50 tons of bulk and 35 tons of green waste per hour. The average time for servicing and unloading vehicles is just 9.5 minutes. The facility is also energy self-sufficient and environmentally friendly.
According to the municipality, the transfer station will help reduce the number of trips to landfill sites by 67%, saving fuel and easing traffic congestion in service areas; compress the volume of waste by 50% extending the lifespan of landfill sites and freeing up space; slash work hours by 30% and reduce the maintenance costs of garbage trucks.
