Heraklion Garbage Crisis Blamed on Outsourcing of Cleaning Work

Monday, 11 May 2026/Source: CretaOne/1 min read

Heraklion's sanitation workers' union (SEGET) has publicly condemned the city's municipal authority over what it describes as a breakdown in waste collection services. According to the union, the municipality laid off a significant number of contracted cleaning staff and redirected work to private companies through multi-million euro outsourcing contracts. The result, the union says, is visibly reduced garbage collection across the city. For tourists visiting Heraklion, this may mean dirtier streets and slower rubbish removal in some neighborhoods, particularly around busy commercial and residential areas. The situation is ongoing as of mid-May 2026. If you are staying in or passing through Heraklion, be aware that waste bins in some areas may overflow more quickly than usual. The dispute between the union and local government is unresolved, and no timeline for a fix has been announced.