About 442,000 tons of waste was recycled in Greece last year as a result of households placing recyclable items in the blue dumpsters that are located in an increasing number of neighborhoods, the Hellenic Recovery Recycling Corporation (HERRCO) said on Thursday.
The figure was up 2,000 tons on the numbers for 2012 but the blue dumpsters were available last year in 32 more municipalities, which are home to a total population of some 570,000 people. Almost nine in 10 Greeks (87 percent) have access to the blue recycling bins, according to HERRCO.
The company added that the amount of waste recycled meant that carbon dioxide emissions were reduced by 560,000 tons and 2,200 permanent jobs were created.
Nevertheless, European Commission sources told Kathimerini that there is still concern in Brussels regarding the slow progress of recycling in Greece.