The "green kiosks" are not just waste collection points, but also centres of information and public awareness, where citizens can learn about best practices in waste management, Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Maria Panayiotou, said on Friday addressing the inauguration of the first pavilion in the community of Agrokipia, in Nicosia district. According to the Minister, the inauguration of the first of 50 green kiosks lays the foundations for a new era in waste management and the circular economy, confirming in practice that environmental protection is a priority with the aim of providing to every citizen and community the means to actively participate in sustainable development. At the same time, she pointed out that the Republic of Cyprus has set ambitious targets for waste management, aligned with both the National Strategy and the European Community legislation. As explained, according the EU requirements member states must recycle at least 55%, 60% and 65% of their municipal waste by 2025, 2030, and 2035, respectively. "With the recycling rate reaching in Cyprus only 16% in 2022, it is clear that we need to act faster and more decisively," she continued, stressing that reducing waste generation, enhancing recycling and utilising waste through innovative practices such as composting and energy recovery are key priorities for the Ministry and the government. The Agriculture Minister also said that the network of the 50 "green kiosks" has been created in this context, explaining that it is a modern centre aimed at sorting and recycling dry recyclable waste such as paper, plastic, metal, textiles and other specific streams. However, she continued, the kiosks are not just waste collection points, but also public information and awareness centres where citizens can learn about best practices in waste management and help reduce their environmental footprint. She added that this action is part of the Cyprus Recovery and Resilience Plan 2021-2026, with the time horizon for its implemen tation being the end of 2025 and its funding amounting to pound 3,300,000. At the same time, she continued, it is part of the European LIFE-IP CYzero Waste programme, According to Panayiotou, so far a total of 6 kiosks have been installed (Agrokipiia, Farmakas, Mammari, Agioi Trimithias, Palaichori Morphou and Kalopanayiotis), with the aim to reach 15 by the end of 2024, while within 2025 another 25 will be installed, and in 2026 another 10 Source: Cyprus News Agency