To the authorities and Mayor of Zakynthos.

For many weeks now rubbish has been piling up on the island of Zakynthos in Greece. This is because the landfill has been closed due to what the European Council has regarded as illegal, and although a site has been planned Authorities are not working together to solve the solution; residents and businesses now have nowhere to put their rubbish. Roads are blocked, commercial waste bins are buried, the smell is awful and it's affecting the health of anyone who lives near or next to it.

Over the weekend (26th and 27th November), torrential rain that fell for nearly two days caused the rubbish to spread, blocking gullys, drains and other areas. People's homes and businesses have been flooded and a “State of Emergency” has been declared. As yet the authorities have not come up with a plan to resolve the problem with the rubbish and the situation is dire.

As islanders we demand that the island authorities resolve the issue with the rubbish immediately:

1. Authorities to ensure that a suitable facility/waste disposal system is found NOW.

2. Authorities to remove and dispose of ALL rubbish that is on the streets, blocking roads and causing a danger to public health immediately.

3. Authorities to put locals first - and ensure that the rubbish issue is treated as their highest priority, diverting the necessary money and manpower to resolve it both immediately, and for the long term, including a public plan, to ensure that this never happens again.

We also ask that a suitable recycling and waste plan is put in place that includes education for all islanders to ensure waste is disposed of correctly whether it be by landfill, composting or recycling.

The island of Zakynthos is suffering and residents fear for their health and well being, this should not be happening and it’s time that the authorities did their job and resolved it.

Please sign this petition and support the residents of Zakynthos. Your help is needed. Thank you.

The residents of Zakynthos, Greece.