Another step towards stricter littering regulations was taken last Wednesday.

The government, the Malta Environment and Planning Authority and the Local Councils Association signed an agreement paving the way for the implementation of new littering and illegal dumping rules, aimed at creating a better environment.

Fines have been considerably increased in a bid to act as a deterrent and stop people from disposing of unwanted material illegally.

We are all aware of the unwanted cars, mattresses, sofas and, in one instance, a whole bedroom that are dumped on the streets and in the countryside. The government spends thousands of liri clearing up areas that, over time, are turned into illegal dumping sites – money that could be used for other projects.

But it is not only bulky items that are being targeted. Even the throwing away of scraps of paper, plastic bags, cigarette butts, snack wrappers and used tissues – that make our public gardens, roads and centre strips look so dirty – could, as from January, lead to a heavy fine.

Until now, perpetrators could be fined Lm10 for throwing a cigarette butt on the ground. As from October, this could rise to between Lm25 to Lm50. Illegal dumping could result in fines of between Lm500 and Lm1,000.

We need such legislation. The efforts of the past to instill a sense of discipline and responsibility have not worked. Malta is, unfortunately, still a dirty country because most of us think that what is public is not ours. We all take pride in our homes, which we keep spick and span. But we tend to ignore the fact that public areas are ours as well, and should therefore be kept as clean as possible.

Fines for littering existed in the past, but few people were actually caught in the act of dumping illegally. Now it is hoped that the new regulations will help reduce the amount of waste that is disposed of in open areas, and it is important that these new regulations are enforced.

The increasing of the fines will be accompanied by the introduction of so-called eco-wardens, who will be on the lookout for illegalities. The fact that they will not be wearing uniforms makes them less conspicuous and therefore more likely to catch perpetrators. They will be helped by the “other” wardens, who can also issue fines for illegal dumping.

The system will come into effect on 1 October for a three-month trial, during which offenders will be given a warning on their first offence. If they commit a second offence within a year they will have to pay both fines.

During this three-month period, the government will be running an information campaign aimed at explaining the new regulations in detail. The system will come into full effect as from 1 January.

What is also positive is the way in which the money raised by the scheme will be spent. While part of it will be used for administration purposes, some will be absorbed into an environment fund to be used for environmental projects. This means that the system will have a dual effect – stopping people from disposing of their rubbish illegally and, for those who are caught in the act, using the fines to subsidise projects related to the environment.

What one now hopes is that the system functions as efficiently as possible. The three-month trial period should be made use of well to explain to the general public what is going on and why the need for such legislation was felt. After that, everyone should feel sufficiently responsible to comply.

Otherwise, he or she should be made to pay the penalty.