Litterers will be fined in a new regulation that came into effect in May this year aimed to keep our environment clean by changing the way people dispose of their rubbish and penalizing those who do not do the right thing.

Waste Authority stated the Environment Management (Litter and Waste Control) Regulations 2016 gives new powers to take action against people who burn or dump their rubbish, or those who litter.

Under these regulations police, environmental officers, health inspectors and other designated officers can issue notifications to clean up dumped waste or stop burning or rubbish or waste. They can also give on the spot fines to offenders.

The fine for littering is $20 pa'anga. For burning your waste is $50 up to $2,000 depending on if the waste is deemed as hazardous. As for dumping hazardous waste, the fine starts at $100 and goes up to $2,000.

“These fines will work just like a speeding ticket. Once it has been issued, if you do not pay within the allocated time, you will receive a summons for a court hearing,” they said.