The government attaches great importance to innovative projects that translate the principles of the circular economy into action," stated Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis during his visit to the island of Tilos on Monday.
"I want to congratulate you for this significant initiative, which sets an interesting institutional precedent. However, I primarily want to emphasize the great importance that I - and the government as a whole - place on innovative endeavors that implement the principles of the circular economy," Mitsotakis added.
Located off the northwest coast of Rhodes, Tilos is the first island in the world to phase out waste. Its program, Just Go Zero Tilos, has earned it international certification as a Zero Waste City, making it a model for waste management and environmental protection.
"You have demonstrated that this project and initiative have been embraced by the local community. We are keenly interested in seeing this project replicated by other islands of similar size, thereby proving that achieving 100% recycling - effectively eliminating waste sent to landfills - is an achievable goal," Mitsotakis stated during his visit to the Town Hall. He witnessed the signing of an agreement between Tilos Mayor Maria Kamma and South Aegean Regional Governor Giorgos Hatzimarkos with the regional Solid Waste Management Entities to oversee the program.
The Greek PM received a briefing on the island's projects and toured the village of Megalo Chorio and the newly constructed archaeological museum, which will showcase the island's rich history, including remnants of pygmy elephants.
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