The European Commission highlighted the importance of environmental protection and recycling with a panel discussion held at Merit Hotel, Nicosia on 9 June with the participation of Anja Schwetje, F.Javier Gonzalez Vidal, İbrahim Alkan, Meriç Erülkü, Leyla Mahrum and Deniz Mat Artun. After the opening speeches by Mr.Alessandro Bianciardi and Mr.İsmet Esenyel, EU policies on packaging waste management and recycling, construction waste management, EU harmonisation on construction waste, packaging waste and recycling, current implementations, reflections on construction and packaging waste management and recycling in the Turkish Cypriot community, possible recommendations and solid waste management project were discussed at the panel. The panel ended with a question and answer session.