Zakynthos authorities say trash baler to be removed from seaside dump

Authorities on the Ionian island of Zakynthos on Thursday pledged to remove an unsightly and smelly trash baler from an illegal landfill that abuts a protected natural park following criticism from environmental groups.

Zakynthos Mayor Pavlos Kolokostas told Kathimerini that the baler was placed at the Skopos landfill by the Interior Ministry so it could be tested and that it will be moved to the location of a new waste management facility that is being planned on the popular Ionian island.

The municipal authority is said to have secured 1.6 million euros in funding for the new facility, and, in the meantime, the trash pile at Skopos, which is near an endangered turtle nesting site, will be reduced to safer levels.