Beyond the bin

Recycling is an important part of environmental protection. When waste is thrown away carelessly, it can pollute the land, rivers and sea. Plastic waste is especially dangerous because it can remain in the environment for a long time and break into tiny pieces called microplastics.

As an island with many popular beaches and tourist destinations, Cyprus needs to manage waste carefully. More visitors can mean more packaging, food waste and disposable products.

Examples of recycling and waste reduction:

• Paper and cardboard: Old notebooks, newspapers and cardboard boxes can be collected for recycling.

• Plastic: Suitable plastic bottles and containers can be placed in the correct recycling bins.

• Glass: Glass bottles and jars can be collected separately and recycled.

• Metal: Aluminium cans and other accepted metal packaging can be recycled into new products.

• Food waste: Vegetable peels, fruit scraps and other suitable organic waste can be composted.

• Electronic waste: Old phones, computers and batteries should be taken to appropriate collection points instead of being thrown into ordinary rubbish bins.