Harsher penalties are being introduced for people caught dumping illegally, Environment Minister Aaron Farrugia said on Friday.

Farrugia explained that harsher penalties will serve as a deterrent against illegal dumping, which has increased over the past years.

The Ministry, the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) and WasteServ have come together to work on legal amendments with the aim of curbing abuse.

The penalties are divided in different categories, depending on the type of material discarded. The material varies from clean limestone material; construction/ demolition waste; material contaminated with hazardous waste such as asbestos or paint thinner; electronic equipment and other materials such as furniture or agricultural waste.

 

What are the penalties?

A €1,000 penalty will be incurred for the disposal of less than one cubic meter of limestone or construction waste. There is a penalty of €3,000 for an amount in excess of one cubic meter of discarded limestone material, and the fine will continue to increase according to the quantity of discarded material, up to a maximum of €30,000.

A penalty of €4,000 applies for the illegal dumping of over one cubic meter of construction. The fines can increase according to the quantity of material discarded up to a maximum of €50,000.

If material is mixed with hazardous waste, such as asbestos, paint thinner or gypsum, the minimum penalty will be €6,000. This penalty was previously €4,000.

Those caught dumping electronic material and white goods face a fine of at least €500.

Farrugia explained that people caught dumping could also lose their license or their vehicle. "We will also be giving the police more power to ask the Court to impose the seizure of the vehicle used to dispose of the waste."

 

43,000 tonnes of illegal waste collected in 5 years

Parliamentary Secretary Deo Debattista said 43,000 tonnes of illegal waste were collected over the last five years.

"This year so far, we have already collected around 2,000 tonnes of illegal waste," he said, adding that the department had received several reports of illegal dumping.

He said that the government is making a big effort to keep the country clean.

"We have introduced harsher penalties not because we want people to be fined, but to portray the message that people should take care of their country."