In the wake of a flurry of complaints from local residents about recycling, or in some cases the lack of it, in their towns, The Khronicles contacted the municipalities of Gouves, Hersonissos and Malia in an attempt to determine the status of the programme.

In Gouves, where the entire recycling process was suspended for some time due to budget cuts, the programme is back in full swing, according to Vice Mayor Evangelos Hadzakis.

However, when this newspaper went to take photos of the recycling truck it observed the collectors dumping both the regular bins and the blue bins into the recycling truck.

When contacted by these reporters and told what had happened, Mr. Hadzakis said that this was a unique situation due to a temporary problem that had come up at the last minute, and will be corrected shortly.

“Normally, as with most municipalities, we work together with the Hellenic Recycling Company which allocates the blue recycling bins and the recycling pick up vehicles,” he said. “We have a truck for Gouves and one for Malia, as we are jointly participating in the programme with the Malia municipality.”

“Mr. Hadzakis said that in order for recycling to be efficient in Gouves, at least 150 to 170 additional blue bins are needed.

“This year we were allocated 25 more so we have now around 160,” he said. “Recyclable materials, glass, plastic and paper, are gathered daily and are driven with the municipality's expense to the Centre for Separating Recyclable Materials in Iraklion’s industrial area, next to the Fruit and Vegetable Market,” he said.

Mr. Hadzakis went on to explain that Gouves participates in the Institution for Solid Waste Management, together with Hersonissos, Malia and Kastelli, with its base in Hersonissos.

“This institution collects all refuse except recyclables,” he explained. “This year it has undertaken for the first time the recycling for the Malia municipality. We are in a discussion phase with the institution to see if they can take over the management of the recyclables in the Gouves demos as well. I hope that with the coming of the new Kallikratic municipality, all refuse management, solids as well as recyclables, will pass on to this institution.”

At the present time, Gouves employs three people, plus the expense of maintaining the truck, for its recycling programme.

"We collect recyclables for six days every week,” he said. “And if we notice that the bins fill up again, like around some hotels, we make a second pick-up later in the day on certain days. I personally want to say to all our residents that I am always at their disposal. If there are any legitimate complaints we will try and resolve them."

The Hersonissos municipality works with the Hellenic Recycling Company, the Company for Recycling Electric and Electronic Appliances and the Company for Recycling Packing Materials.