More flack for Green Dot over promotion campaigns

RECYCLING non-profit organisation Green Dot Cyprus received a state subsidy to the tune of €1.3m from 2009 to 2011 in order to carry out an information campaign for the expansion of its programme to the Larnaca, Famagusta and Paphos districts, but failed to present full details of its expenditure, the Audit Service announced on Friday.

According to the statement, the company, which is subject to inspections by the Environment Department, received money by submitting invoices that did not contain the required information, including the date and location the events were held.

The company came under fire on Thursday, after Paphos mayor Phedonas Phedonas had accused the outfit of levying “illegal and excessive charges” and operating as a monopoly.

He also pointed out that the company makes hundreds of thousands in profits each year, questioning its designation as a non-profit organisation.

The Audit Service’s statement appeared to have been triggered by remarks made by Green Dot’s head Mike Spanos on a radio talk show, in which he said that the service’s request for a breakdown of entertainment and travelling expenses was “suspect”.

“One of the main issues under scrutiny relates to the management of packaging waste, for which only Green Dot (Cyprus) Public Co Ltd has been licensed to date,” the Audit Service said.

“Our service has asked the Environment Department to produce various data, in order to establish the effective operation of the system, as well as whether its operation is in line with its capacity as a non-profit organisation. The department informed us that the company expressed reservations over producing the required breakdown of travelling, entertainment and vehicles expenses. Not wishing to allow this issue to become an argument to denying audit, we replied that this information needn’t be produced at this stage.”

In light of the above, the Audit Service said, the company director’s remarks on the request being “suspect” is incomprehensible, “especially considering that we didn’t insist on receiving them”.

Meanwhile, a second packaging-waste management system applied for licensing by the Environment Department in 2014, but the application is still under review.

“The introduction of one more system is expected to benefit the public,” the Audit Service said.

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