The Illegal Trash Volcano Burning in Kalymnos

For decades there's been an active volcano on the Greek island of Kalymnos. It isn't a geological phenomenon or a natural formation, though—it's an illegal dump on the picturesque island where garbage is burned nearly every day.

The problem isn't unique to Kalymnos. According to the latest data from the Ministry of the Environment, Greece has 39 active illegal landfills, 21 of which are on the Greek islands.

The country has been fined millions of euros by the European Union, but the problem persists. When garbage and plastics are burned like they are in Kalymnos, they release toxic substances into the air, wreaking havoc on the environment and public health.

VICE Greece recently headed over to Kalymnos to check out the trash volcano and try to figure out why illegal dumps like this one are burning across the country to this day.

[bookdream]

From the title I thought people were literally throwing their garbage into the mouth of a volcano

[skipperkongen]

My family is from Kalymnos. Every year since the 70's we have come for vacation to the Island. Some things have changed and others have not changed. The "volcano" is one of the things that hasn't changed, decade after decade. I am 41 years today and my earliest childhood memories include those of the burning trash, the "volcano", on the road to the Vathy valley.

[VICE]

There are 39 active illegal landfills across Greece, 21 of which are on the Greek islands. Some of them—like the dump on the island of Kalymnos—are on fire. Why can't anyone do anything about it?

[StreuB]

I have never seen the Greek islands looks like absolute paradise. No wonder all the greatest minds in the old world came from that area. The scenery looks like it could stimulate the mind like no other.

[Huli-Man]

Do a Documentary on how we here in Sweden handle garbage, we also burn trash but in a controlled way and for heating and energy, we even import from Norway. It is not a solution without some problems with it but this is just ridiculous. But its good to see that the younger generation learns the importance of recycling. Less then 1-2% ends up in landfills here now i believe.

[JoshFish]

"The press doesn't react. I mean you reacted, I don't know why you did" that's why I like Vice

[thescaredshadow]

Holy shit! A Vice video that hasn't been taken down!

[blastoie]

>change your name to something in nature
>shop at american apparel

>career at vice

[YesEthan]

Why don't the Greeks talk to Sweden about how they get rid of their rubbish and other countries in their area. The Swedes converts trash to electricity? Swedes could reach out as well. Communication is always key for action.

[wabisabi]

Before I pressed play, I was going to say 'Smart!', I thought they were dumping garbage in an active volcano to burn it! Hahaha

[Michelle_Schu-blacka]

Local officials seem to be trying to shift blame instead of doing anything.

Something is horribly wrong in Greece.

[WorldWendell]

Just do what WALL-E does and put the waste into boxes ;)

[themightiestofbooshes]

sounds like they're speaking spanish, but you know, it's all greek to me.

[mistermood]

QUICK GUYS blame refugees for everything.

[NannaLaurie]

I was in Crete this summer. Near Chania we were in the nature, like for a walk and all of the sudden: Landfill of trash. It's not just on the land either. After you get out of the sea in some places, you'll find small pieces of plastic stuck to your body. It's really gross. This is mainly near cities.

[Duskets]

Why are so many of the uploaded videos unavailable recently?

[kokomobedford]

This presenter is fantastic. Let's see more stories from this guy.

[phonix-]

My heart goes out to the Greek people. I have much solidarity with them.

[Aztecsoviet]

Of course you have a guy named river who couldn't be more than 100lbs

[jackel]

Fining an already financially strained country doesn't seem like the correct course of action in my opinion.