EC case against Greece over landfills could result in fines
The European Court of Justice on Tuesday started hearing a case against Greece, which faces millions of euros in fines after consistently failing to restore dozens of illegal landfills operating across the country in line with European Commission waste management regulations.
According to the latest data submitted to EU officials by the Environment Ministry, there are 70 illegal landfills still in operation across Greece and another 326 that are in the process of being converted into sanitary landfills.
The case brought against Greece by the EC is expected to last for several months, during which time Athens is expected to submit legal arguments defending its efforts to replace illegal landfills with sanitary replacements, but the country faces a lump fine of 28 million euros if it fails to convince the European court and possibly additional penalties of 71,000 euros per day if it continues to drag its feet.
