Overview

Waste Collection and Lighting fees are local taxes in Albania and Cyprus that cover waste management and public street lighting. These fees ensure regular waste collection and streetlight maintenance, with amounts varying by property size, usage, and local services. Both countries have used these fees to promote renewable energy with different approaches. In Cyprus, Lakatamia’s Municipal Council allocated part of the increased waste management fees to upgrade a municipal green point, serving as a waste collection site and an educational center on renewables and energy efficiency, aimed at raising public awareness and hosting school trips. In Albania, a reduction of the Waste Collection and Lighting fees is offered to households, institutions, and businesses with installed photovoltaic devices on their premises. This approach encourages the adoption of renewable energy across the municipality, benefiting both the environment and the community.

Evidence of success

In Lezha (AL), with a 30% reduction of the waste fees it is estimated that the amount of CO2 emissions avoided is 15,056 kg CO2 eq/year.

LOCATION

Kukes (AL); Lezhë (AL); Vau Dejes (AL); Lakatamia (CY)

TIMESCALE

2018-ongoing

Potential of learning or transfer

The replicability potential of the fiscal incentive is significant in Albania and Cyprus, where all municipalities manage the fee. The different fiscal approaches tested in Albania and Cyprus provide different fiscal models that facilitate replicability.

Contacts

For the Albanian municipalities:
Aida Cacaj: aidacacaj@iam.org.al
Agron Haxhimali: agronhaxhimali@iam.org.al

For the Cypriot municipalities:
Cyprus Energy Agency: info@cea.org.cy