Cleanliness & Environment
The Municipal Authority considers the preservation of a healthy, sustainable environment a key priority. As a basic component of environmental protection, recycling constitutes the core of our efforts. The City of Athens has introduced a major recycling initiative.
Respect for the environment is a constituent element of culture in all societies. Therefore, the autonomous value of the environment and the need to protect it and manage it properly must take precedence over all efforts to boost development and quality of life. We owe it, nevertheless, to ourselves, but chiefly to our children and future generations. An effort such as this, which aims to improve the environment and assist it to recover from human exploitation, must involve citizens, above all.
We must all adopt a positive stance towards the environment. We are not asking citizens to do the impossible. Just a few simple, everyday actions can help make the difference. For instance, if we separate recyclable items and place them in the special blue bins, we are not only assisting to protect the environment but to conserve natural and financial resources. If we throw small items of garbage in wastebins rather than on the street, our city will immediately become cleaner. Additionally, by depositing rubbish in the bin, we improve the visual image of our city, reduce unpleasant odours and facilitate the movement of pedestrians and motor vehicles.
Our efforts to create a clean, environmentally-friendly city are continuous. The waste management department provides its services on a 24-hour basis.
Furthermore, within the framework of the EU Third Community Support Fund, the City of Athens Waste Management Department is implementing a comprehensive, modern communication, automated-tracking management and transport scheduling system which aims to make the most effective use of human resources and facilitate citizens in terms of managing waste and protecting the environment.