'Green' wardens issue 40 warnings a day

In spite of billboards and strong advertising campaigns warning people not to litter, plainclothes wardens have been issuing a large number of warnings every day.

In the first 10 days since the new regulations against illegal dumping and littering were introduced, plainclothes wardens have issued 412 written warnings in various towns and villages, an average of about 40 a day.

Some 65 warnings were issued in connection with littering and fly dumping on the first day alone by the 24 "eco-wardens".

The new dumping and littering regulations carry fines ranging from Lm25 to Lm50 for littering and between Lm1,000 and Lm2,500 for dumping, but the fines will only start being imposed as from January 1. In the meantime, wardens hand out written warnings.

Littering offences include taking out rubbish and placing it at someone else's doorstep hours before collection is due. A considerable number of warnings have been issued to Valletta shop owners, who used to place rubbish in corners away from their shops at midday when the collection takes place late in the evening.

A few cases of dumping have also been reported, two of them in Gozo yesterday. A number of wardens are attached to the Malta Environment and Planning Authority while others are administered by local councils.

Dumping and littering is a major problem. Government workers collected 1,600 tons of rubbish at a cost of Lm48,000 last month alone.

More than Lm400,000 have been spent so far this year to clear up rubbish dumped illegally. The waste dumped varies from plastic and glass bottles to mattresses and furniture.

Contacted for a reaction, Environment Minister George Pullicino said wardens were finding the public to be cooperative.

"One has to see the effect in the long-term. It is still too early to assess results. Initial indications show the system is working well. We shall be seeing how we can improve the system," he said.