Seas of trash

The problem of solid waste management in Greece is growing to explosive and potentially uncontrollable proportions, with piles of trash swallowing different parts of the country, from Corfu in the northwest to the historic site of Olympia and towns in the Peloponnese.

Vested interests and local disputes, a lack of will power, interventions from unionists, blatant ignorance and abject incompetence are quickly turning the country into a vast garbage dump.

Years and decades have passed since the problem started becoming apparent and there still seems to be no solution in sight. Meanwhile, Greece is being slammed with fines from the European Union because of its failure to comply with community regulations.

The worst thing is that society itself does not seem to be motivated to demand that a solution to this disgusting situation be found nor does it seem to be interested in seeking ways to curb its own production of trash. This is very sad indeed.