EPA warns of high fines for violating Waste Management Regulation

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has urged the public to heed the sections of the “Waste Management Regulation” applicable to disposal of garbage.

The Waste Management Regulation will be implemented by EPA on 5 February 2014.

Areas where garbage disposal is prohibited under this regulation include roads, beaches, harbours, and lagoons. It is also prohibited to dispose garbage at all public places excluding waste bins and dumping grounds.

Throwing garbage in the sea can carry a fine of between MVR 501 and MVR 5,000,000, the highest fine prescribed in the regulation.

The regulation also obligates placing waste bins at all public places, and failing to use these bins could result in a fine of MVR 100.

Failure by the institutions responsible for maintaining public places to place waste bins can mean they are fined between MVR 1,000 and MVR 100,000.

The Waste Management Regulation was gazetted in August 2013.

Meanwhile, Article 56 (c) of the General Health Regulation already states that it is prohibited to throw garbage on roads, from tall buildings, and on beaches; and that such an offence carries a fine of MVR 5,000.

Such regulations are in place but have never been executed.

Another example is Article 43 (b) of the law on Prevention of Anti-social Behaviour, which states that spitting in a public place carries a fine of MVR 500. While this law was ratified in 2010, action has never been taken against an individual for committing this offence.