Utilising Pay As You Throw Systems and Autonomous Composting Units in Balkan Med countries

In this paper a European Union and National funded project activities are described. The project “BIOWASTE” promotes the transfer and application test of innovative technologies (PAYT and ACUs), aiming to enhance managing efficiency in solid wastes related issues, such as source separation schemes and treating systems emphasizing in organic wastes. The proposed systems will be introduced in three different types of touristic municipalities, Municipality of Yermasoyia (intensified touristic area with prolonged touristic summer), Municipality of Katerini (less intensive touristic area, with short summer period directly related with the sea cost) and Municipality of Probistip (less intensive touristic area with a very large number of small and decentralized communities with significant number of tourists). Ιn the framework of the BIOWASTE, each municipality will: a) develop a detailed Pay as You throw (PAYT) system, b) provide the appropriate equipment for the implementation of the PAYT system (weighing units for waste collection trucks, bins with identification systems), and c) install an Autonomous Composting Unit (ACU) at the sites of a hotel or hospitality units or decentralized communities to receive the bio-waste produced directly without the need to collect them. ACUs are small closed integrated composting units, with zeroing of effluent and expanding liquids.