Consultation over littering laws

A four-week public consultation on the new littering regulations has been initiated through a notice published in yesterday's Government Gazette.

The regulations, which are to come into effect for a trial period of three months as from October, will be implemented on January 1.

The regulations are introducing stiffer fines for littering, which will now range from Lm25 to Lm50, while fines for dumping will start from Lm1,000 going up to Lm2,500. The fines will double if the crime takes place near churches, at bays, in national parks, in public gardens or at archaeological or historical sites. The regulations will also introduce plain clothes wardens who, together with uniformed wardens, will be responsible for enforcement.

A series of training meetings were held for the wardens over the past weeks. An information campaign is being launched over the next few days in collaboration with several organisations from the private sector.

Comments about the regulations are to be sent to the permanent secretary within the Environment Ministry, Barriera Wharf, Valletta.