The association overseeing a new landfill at Fyli, northwestern Attica, yesterday threatened to shut it down unless stalled plans to build two additional landfills for the capital are realized.

The Fyli site, which opened only last Friday, is already receiving 2,000 tons of trash a day more than anticipated, said Giorgos Hardas, the head of the site workers’ union, noting that the dump would reach saturation within three years at this rate, not in nine years, as planned.

Another problem is posed by members of a nearby Roma settlement who sneak into the site to recover salvageable waste. Workers say these raids pose serious safety risks. “If we do not get police surveillance we are going to shut the site down,” Hardas said.

Fyli site workers said they will call off their action if they are given a date for the launch of the construction of landfills at Keratea and Grammatiko, southeastern and northwestern Attica respectively. Residents in both areas have mounted court challenges against the planned projects.